Dennis Allen says since the Saints drafted Kendre Miller, there hasn’t been a lot of new information other than the college tape.
“It’s hard to make that evaluation.”
Allen said hopefully they get him out here, but it makes it more challenging.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 21, 2024
Kendre Miller sustained a hamstring injury on the first day of New Orleans Saints training camp, and he hasn’t returned to the practice field since the team returned to their Metairie practice facility after a month in Irvine. As more time has passed, Miller’s slow recovery has begun to feel like a breaking point for head coach Dennis Allen.
Throughout training camp, Allen has been measured when speaking about injuries after practice or games. He has avoided big statements and chosen to vocalize that he doesn’t have the full picture on injuries that happened just hours prior.
This didn’t apply to Miller. In the presser immediately following the injury, Allen said, “That’s a player that’s going to have to figure out how to stay healthy. Because it’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.”
Calling Miller’s job security into question is significant, seeing as the Saints had a big vision for him coming out of college just a year ago. Allen said that college tape isn’t enough to evaluate from after Wednesday’s practice. He once again made reference to Miller’s lack of NFL experience and how it makes it “hard to make that evaluation” when determining how many running backs to roster.
“I know he’s talented,” Allen said. “But I don’t know if he can learn the system. I don’t know if can pick up the system because I haven’t seen him out there.”
These are fair points, and it appears the frustrations are building. Hamstring injuries can lead to lengthy recoveries but we’re approaching the point where it’s worth asking if Miller should have had surgery back in July. At this stage it feels like the Saints are likeliest to put put Miller on injured reserve at the start of the season and reevaluate him after four games. But if Allen had the authority to do so, you get the sense he might be willing to just move on altogether.
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