Kendre

Miller

Miller began the season on injured reserve after missing training camp with a hamstring issue. The young back has missed much of his first two seasons with various injuries and head coach Dennis Allen has been quick to point that out to reporters. Miller has an uphill climb toward playing time even when healthy.

The report comes from Josina Anderson, whose phrasing suggests Miller will eventually be designated to return. The injured reserve/designated to return rules stipulate the player remains sidelined for at least four games, indicating Miller will be eligible to return for the Saints Week 5 game against the Chiefs.

Allen has repeatedly expressed doubt in the oft-injured running back, previously saying, “It’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.” Miller has been sidelined since the start of training camp because of a hamstring issue and dealt with various injuries as a rookie. At this point, it does seem as though Miller’s roster spot is in doubt. Jamaal Williams has been operating as the Saints’ RB2 in his absence but was dreadfully inefficient last year. Taysom Hill could play a larger role in the backfield if Miller is cut or isn’t able to get on the field before the start of the season.

Expressing frustration with Miller’s ongoing injury problems three weeks ago, Allen said Miller couldn’t make the team from the trainer’s table. Per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, Allen said Wednesday “that hasn’t changed at this point.” Yikes. While it ultimately seems unlikely Miller will be left off the 53-man roster, the reality is that he barely played last season and hasn’t played at all this summer. Even with Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams both losing their legs ahead of him, Miller is shaping up as a poor late-round flier.

Miller left Wednesday’s practice early with a hamstring issue. Allen would go on to say, “It’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.” Allen has been critical of Miller in the past, saying earlier in the offseason that he wants to see more consistency from the young back. Miller missed the start of his rookie season with a hamstring issue and was later sidelined with an ankle injury. His current injury will give Jamaal Williams a chance to cement himself as the backup to Alvin Kamara. Williams posted a dreadful 106/306/1 rushing line in 2023.

Allen said he’s “seen burst and explosiveness” and “the ability to make people miss,” but added he wants to “see it more often.” A popular late-round pick in fantasy drafts last season, Miller’s rookie year was plagued with injuries that limited him to just eight games. He saw 73 of his 156 rushing yards come in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Falcons but flashed the abilities fantasy managers hoped to see when they drafted him. Miller clearly has something he needs to prove to Allen before he gets a chance to earn a bigger role alongside Alvin Kamara this season. Despite Kamara’s age, he remains firmly entrenched as the lead back, but Miller could cut into that workload with a strong training camp. His pass-catching upside makes him a solid stash in PPR leagues this season.

Kendre Miler was a popular late-round draft choice given that Alvin Kamara was starting the season on the suspension list; however, the rookie battled his own injuries and was only able to appear in eight games. He rushed 41 times for 156 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown while adding ten catches on 11 targets for 117 receiving yards. With all of Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Taysom Hill under contract in New Orleans for 2024, it’s hard to see much fantasy upside for Miller. Even if the Saints were to move on from Kamara, which is unlikely given his contract, Miller would find himself in a bigger workload but still cede pretty much all red zone work to Taysom Hill. As a result, he’s more of a long-term dynasty asset for managers who can think two years or more into the future.

Kamara did not practice at all this week but still drew a questionable tag on Friday. The Saints were giving him every chance to suit up, but the veteran back clearly didn’t feel right in pre-game warmups and will miss Week 18. Per Underhill, rookie Kendre Miller will be active for the first time since Week 9. Jamaal Williams will draw the start and should see the bulk of the backfield touches. Though he struggled to do much in that role to start the year, his workload will put him in the RB2 ranks to close out the regular season.

Kamara was added to the injury report Friday and drew a questionable tag for Week 17. He is officially ready to go as an RB1 with the Saints taking on the Buccaneers. The Saints declared CB Cameron Dantzler, DE Isaiah Foskey, QB Jake Haener, S Lonnie Johnson, RB Kendre Miller, and LB Monty Rice inactive for Week 17 against the Buccaneers. The rookie Miller is notably set to miss his seventh straight game with an ankle issue.

It is Miller’s sixth straight absence. Although a buzzed-about spring selection, the lost year bodes poorly for the Day 2 pick’s Dynasty league staying power.