Kendre Miller had a lot of time for self reflection.
The New Orleans Saints second-year running back injured his hamstring minutes into the first training camp practice of the 2024 season. He did not return to the practice field until this week, when the team opened his 21-day window to return to the active roster 10 weeks after he sustained his original injury.
Miller also dealt with multiple injuries as a rookie. He has played in eight of a possible 21 games to this point. Navigating the injuries, he said, has been more of a mental challenge than a physical one.
“It’s hard because of all the stuff I dealt with last year, and then the first day of training camp something happened,” Miller said. “It’s hard, but I’ve been taking it day by day, looking at myself in the mirror and saying, ‘What can I do better?’ Injuries happen, … but what can I do better to prevent it?”
The Saints have been playing Miller’s status fairly close to the vest. He could possibly make his return to the field for Monday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, or the Saints could continue to monitor him for a couple weeks and allow him to regain a semblance of football shape.
Coach Dennis Allen has maintained throughout that it’s been difficult for him to evaluate Miller because of how much time he’s missed because of injury, but he has liked what he has seen in three practices this week.
“He had a good week of practice, and it was good to have him out there,” Allen said. “... We’ll see how he continues to go and make our decisions as we move along.”
Whenever Miller does come back, he could help ease the burden off running back Alvin Kamara, who is leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (536) but also touches (97).
"Whenever they’re ready for me, I’ll be ready," Miller said.
