Tag: Jamaal Williams

Saints labeled a perfect fit for this 2025 draft prospect

The Saints should look to bolster their running backs room this offseason, and this Bleacher Report writer believes Dylan Sampson is a perfect fit:

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes the New Orleans Saints are a perfect fit for Dylan Sampson, a popular prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. The last time the Saints drafted a running back from Tennessee, you could say it worked out alright. Sampson even wears the same No. 6 jersey that Alvin Kamara used with the Volunteers.

Right now the running back room includes Kamara, Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams. Jordan Mims and Xazavian Valladay are also in the mix but they’ll both be free agents in the spring.

And Kamara is the only one guaranteed a spot next year. Williams being a cap casualty is a strong possibility when looking at his usage over the past two years. Miller’s injury history makes it hard to trust him even if he remains healthy to close the season. There will be a feeling in the back of the mind that’s hard to shake. Miller has the potential to be Kamara’s running mate, but if he suffers another injury, that would leave the Saints out to dry.

Seeing that Kamara could be on his final contract, investing in a running mate is a logical choice. Georgia coach Kirby Smart called Sampson “an elite runner.” He went on to directly compare Sampson to Kamara, saying, “And I know where he’s from, in Louisiana, they do nothing but have great backs from there. He reminds me so much of his run skill set of Kamara, of Alvin. He’s very smooth and elusive.”

Smart compared Sampson to Kamara in terms of elusiveness and smoothness. Worst-case, Sampson could work with Kamara and Miller as part of a three-headed rushing attack.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints rule one starter out ahead of Week 13 game vs. Rams

The Saints will be without a starting offensive lineman again versus the Rams. Here’s their final injury report for Week 13:

On Friday, the New Orleans Saints handed a few injury updates ahead of their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, some good and some bad.

On a negative note, Erik McCoy will be a game time decision on Sunday. The leader of the offensive line injured the same groin that landed him on injured reserve earlier this season. Lucas Patrick will miss his third consecutive game with a calf injury, as he was already ruled out.

Positively, Foster Moreau doesn’t have an injury designation despite being limited in practice the entirety of the week. New Orleans is low on receiving talent, and Moreau gives Derek Carr another player he can trust.

Jamaal Williams was the only player whose designation changed throughout the week. Williams was limited on Wednesday and elevated to a full participant at Friday’s practice. The Saints didn’t practice on Thursday.

The best news is arguably the return of Tanoh Kpassagnon from his Achilles injury. He along with McCoy and Williams are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Image

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints activate Kendre Miller off injured reserve ahead of Week 6

Saints running back Kendre Miller will likely be active in Week 6 game vs. the Buccaneers after being activated off IR

The New Orleans Saints have activated running back Kendre Miller off injured reserve. Miller has been kept off the field with a hamstring injury he suffered on the first day of Saints training camp.

Being on injured reserve meant he had to miss at least the first four games of the season. He returned to practice after the Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons but was unable to play against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Miller’s return should help Alvin Kamara, who has been carrying the brunt of the rushing workload. With Spencer Rattler starting in Derek Carr’s absence, Klint Kubiak will likely lean even heavier into the running game.

This is Miller’s first game back, so don’t expect him to be too heavily involved. He should at least match the amount of Jamaal Williams has been receiving.

In games that weren’t blowouts, Williams has averaged three touches a game. That is a small amount of touches, and shouldn’t honestly be the baseline for his involvement.

New Orleans Saints running back officially ruled out vs. Chiefs

Kendre Miller’s 21-day window to practice is open, so a return is imminent. It just won’t come against the Chiefs, as the Saints have ruled him out:

Kendre Miller will not suit up for the New Orleans Saints against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5.

There was an initial level of excitement when Dennis Allen announced Miller could return to practice. Alvin Kamara is performing phenomenally. He is, however, dealing with some injuries, and his workload isn’t helping matters. When looking around at the performance of the supporting cast, Klint Kubiak doesn’t have a choice but to ride Kamara.

There was hope and excitement around Miller possibly returning to take a few carries off Kamara’s plate. That hope will have to wait one more week.

The excitement around his return continued as he did return to practice this week. Unfortunately, emotions tapered as Miller was designated doubtful for the Monday night showdown versus the Chiefs. Now, he has been officially ruled out.

It’s important to note this is not a setback but rather a step in the return process. Miller practiced for the first time this week since July. His ramp up may take a week. His 21-day window is activated, so he’ll be back no later than the Week 8 game with the Los Angeles Chargers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Alvin Kamara’s usage in 2024 resembles 49ers star Christian McCaffrey in 2023

Alvin Kamara is the NFL’s biggest workhorse through four games. Klint Kubiak is using him similar to how San Francisco used Christian McCaffrey:

In Klint Kubiak’s system, Alvin Kamara has become a workhorse for the New Orleans Saints. You could even make the argument he’s the biggest workhorse in the NFL. His 97 touches are the most in the NFL through four  weeks.

It would be nice if Jamaal Williams or Kendre Miller, when he returns, would give some assistance. That hasn’t been the case, and Kamara is averaging over 24 touches per game. At this rate, he will topple his career-high 287 touches from 2021.

Kubiak’s last stop was with the San Francisco 49ers, and Kamara’s usage reflects Christian McCaffrey’s usage in 2023.

In that season, McCaffrey won Offensive Player of the Year. McCaffrey had the most touches in the NFL that season. The year is still young, but Kamara is in the same boat at the moment.

The term workhorse isn’t typically associated with McCaffrey or Kamara. They aren’t the style of running back you likely grew up watching. Their touches are spread out between rushing and receiving.

However, the style of play at the position has changed and the way we use that word should be tweaked too. McCaffrey didn’t have the most carries and neither does Kamara. They both lead their team in carries by a landslide while also being important receiving threats.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Dennis Allen called out Saints’ underwhelming secondary targets on offense

Dennis Allen is calling for someone outside of Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill to step up in the Saints offense:

The New Orleans Saints lack depth at offensive playmaker. Taysom Hill is a do it all player, who’s impact on the team is even more apparent in his absence. Alvin Kamara is the only impactful running back on the roster.

When you look at the passing attack specifically, Derek Carr primarily throws the ball to Kamara, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. After that there’s a steep dropoff.

Carr previously commented on the lack of targets for players after the Big 3. He pointed towards game-planning as a reason for funneling so many passes to his top options. Dennis Allen is now calling for players behind them to step up.

Saints News Network’s John Hendrix shared Allen’s comment: “We got to find some other guys that can make plays for us other than Alvin, Olave, Taysom.”

Allen went on to give credit to Shaheed, too, adding: “I thought Rashid did some good things from an offensive perspective.” The muffed punt was clearly still on Allen’s mind, but Shaheed is a consistent part of the offensive game plan.

WWL’s Jeff Nowak found a stat that perfectly describes the reliance on those players. Outside of the four mentioned above, everyone else is responsible for 24 yards over the last three weeks. Not 24 yards per game, 24 yards total. Juwan Johnson hasn’t made enough plays at tight end, while guys like A.T. Perry and Bub Means can’t even dress out at wide receiver.

Allen is correct. The Saints need more weapons. It’d be best if it came from the tight ends or another running back. Those positions could help target the middle of the field or provide another running threat. But with someone like Davante Adams expressing interest in a trade to New Orleans, you have to wonder if that’s a real option, too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Kendre Miller is the Saints’ last hope of giving Alvin Kamara help

The Saints need another option at running back next to Alvin Kamara. Kendre Miller should return from injury soon, and he might be their last hope:

Alvin Kamara has been phenomenal this season. The New Orleans Saints running back is on pace to have the best season of his career, but his recent injuries suggest he would benefit from receiving some help with the workload.

Ideally, Jamaal Williams would give Kamara reprieve. His lack of touches suggest a lack of belief from the staff. Taysom Hill is the Saints’ second-best running threat, but he has his own injuries.

This is where Kendre Miller comes into play. There’s no guarantee he’ll be available when the Saints face the Kansas City Chiefs on “Monday Night Football” next week. However, the running back is eligible to return to practice this week, and the expectation is it won’t take long for him to get back up to speed.

Miller could be the secondary option at running back the Saints need. Granted, Miller has never been able to shake the injury bug. It’s hard to express confidence in him to carry any portion of the workload, but he’s the best hope at this time.

Kamara has the most touches in the NFL, and the number is higher when Hill is out of the game. He’s dealing with rib and hip injuries and has had at least 20 touches a game. Miller is the last hope of giving Kamara some help.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Report: Kendre Miller to return from injured reserve after Falcons game

Kendre Miller suffered an injury on the first day of Saints training camp. He’s expected to return to practice for the first time this week:

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller is expected to return from injured reserve after Week 4’s game with the Atlanta Falcons, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. That’s the earliest Miller can return to practice according to the NFL’s injured reserve rules, so the soonest he can play is Week 5’s prime-time game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s been a rough offseason for Miller. He suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of Saints training camp and was never able to return to practice. Head coach Dennis Allen was clearly frustrated with his absence. He called the young running back out on a couple different occasions.

That could provide additional motivation for Miller as he attempts to come back to practice. Miller has flashed potential at times but he’s never been able to get truly rolling due to injuries through his young NFL career.

This latest injury may have dropped him in the rotation behind Jordan Mims, and further behind Jamaal Williams. All three of them are competing for snaps behind Alvin Kamara.

However, Mims hasn’t carried the ball much and Williams has left something to be desired. As Miller works his way back, there could be room for him to get a few carries during next week’s Chiefs game. He has to show he’s more than potential, because his injuries have made it to where potential isn’t enough.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Jamaal Williams downplays his late touchdown last year vs. Falcons

Jamaal Williams downplayed the significance of his late touchdown against the Falcons last year: ‘It’ll be forgotten soon, don’t worry’

This week, Jamaal Williams downplayed his last-minute touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023’s regular season finale. Jameis Winston became the face of the moment when the New Orleans Saints ran up the score on their rivals, but Williams was the one who carried the ball into the end zone.

That was the last offensive play of the Saints’ season and resulted in Williams’ first and only touchdown of the year. Of course it was brought back up this week with the Falcons game coming up, but Williams doesn’t see it as a big deal. Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith and brought in sweeping changes this offseason, but Williams about to take the blame for that.

“I don’t think my touchdown was the reason for all of those (changes),” Williams laughed. When Smith’s dismissal was brought up, Williams pointed to his status as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator in downplaying the significance of his TD: “He’s good, he’s on another team. It’s not like he’s out here homeless. He got another job. What are we talking about? It’ll be forgotten soon, don’t worry.”

Williams believes his play should be soon forgotten. He compared it to Mark Sanchez’ infamous “Butt Fumble.” This was a bad, yet accurate example. If Williams was trying to bring up a play that was forgotten in time, the ‘Butt Fumble’ is not one of those.

Over 10 years, that play is still brought up. 10 years later, Williams’ touchdown may still be discussed by Saints fans. If it was against any other team, Williams would be correct. In a rivalry as petty as Saints versus Falcons, this will be one of those memories that lives on.

The aftermath of it from Dennis Allen and Arthur Smith meeting on the field to Winston’s press conference after the game is too memorable.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints should continue to use Taysom Hill in the backfield

The Saints played Taysom Hill in the backfield more against the 49ers than any game last year. This trend needs to continue into the season:

Sunday’s preseason game versus the San Francisco 49ers may have shown the best way for the New Orleans Saints to use Taysom Hill. Hill saw a heightened amount of snaps from the backfield despite playing less snaps than he would in the regular season.

Hill played 8 snaps in the backfield at running back or fullback. The most he played in the backfield in a full game was 7 snaps. The Saints should continue to lean into using Hill in this aspect. It’s a win-win.

It may bring the best and most out of Hill. He is the embodiment of a Swiss army knife, but of everything he does, he’s best at running.

He’d be lower on the totem pole of receiving threats. As a rusher he’d be arguably the second-best option. Hill has produced at such a high rate that it’s not absurd to think he could be right behind Alvin Kamara in the pecking order.

Hill showed the ability to lead block, and that was the most impressive part. He cleared out a lane for Jamaal Williams. He’s a more dangerous rushing threat than Adam Prentice while bringing the same value as a blocker.

This versatility at fullback benefits the offense by keeping the defense guessing. Hill’s experience running routes makes him a receiving threat out of the backfield that must be respected. He’s a threat to take a dive through the middle of the line of scrimmage or clear the way as a lead blocker for a running back.

He will likely line up in other positions more because Kamara does still exist. His usage in the backfield should be high and he should get high usage from this alignment. We’ll see just what Klint Kubiak is cooking up for him when the Saints kick off with the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]