New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller suffered an apparent injury during Sunday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s what we know so far.
Saints RB Kendre Miller Leaves Game With Injury
Miller sustained an injury during Sunday’s preseason contest vs. the Chiefs. As a result, Miller had to exit the game and headed to the blue medical tent on the sideline for further evaluation. Miller would eventually make his way to the locker room with members of the Saints’ medical staff and would not emerge or re-enter the game.
Kendre Miller walking back to the locker room without his helmet. Looks like he may be done for the day.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 13, 2023
The specifics and the severity of the injury are unknown at this time, but whatever happened was enough to knock Miller out of the game and end his NFL rookie debut after just four carries.
Saints RB Kendre Miller walking back to locker room with no noticeable limp after being evaluated in the blue tent on the sideline.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 13, 2023
The players and staff in and around the Saints’ organization are excited about the young third-round draft pick running back from TCU. The hope is that this injury isn’t too serious and he’s being held out in an abundance of caution.
While it’s too early to know Miller’s potential injury severity, losing the rookie pick for any amount of time would be a tough blow for the Saints’ offense, especially with starting running back Alvin Kamara’s three-game suspension looming and no clear backup in the fold besides veteran addition Jamaal Williams to carry the load in their absence.
In Miller’s final season at TCU, he had a monster season with 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 224 carries. In Miller’s career at TCU, he averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per carry on 361 career attempts, adding a special piece to this potentially potent New Orleans Saints offensive group.
Who Else Is Available in the Saints’ Backfield?
Without Kamara in the fold for the first three games of the season, the potential impact of Miller’s injury looms large. The Saints signed the aforementioned Williams this offseason — the feeling is he will carry the brunt of the load until Kamara is back in the fold.
Outside of Williams, the Saints only have one other running back on the roster, Kirk Merritt, who missed today’s game with a hamstring injury already.
Regardless of what the outcome of Miller’s injury severity ends up being, the Saints may be wise to take a look at the available free agent running backs out there to bring in some ready and fresh bodies to compete.
