Tag: Jordan Mims

What role will Clyde Edwards-Helaire have in Saints debut?

What does Jordan Mims being inactive mean for Clyde Edwards-Helaire?

Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have the opportunity to play in front of his hometown crowd. It’s the former LSU Tiger’s first game with the New Orleans Saints, and he could have a clear cut role versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Due to Alvin Kamara’s injury, the Saints rolled out Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims, and Jamaal Williams against the Green Bay Packers. This week, Mims is inactive and Edwards-Helaire is taking his place. Does this mean he will take on Mims’ role as well?

If that’s the case, what would that look like? Mims was prominently featured on Monday Night Football because the Saints were frequently in passing situations. Edwards-Helaire has a skillset that would allow him to excel in this aspect. That’s a good starting point.

NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill expects Edwards-Helaire to have a real role. This suggests the Saints will also heavily use the new addition as a rushing threat next to Miller. Those two players will likely lead the charge for the Saints rushing attack in Week 17.

How did Saints use their running backs in Alvin Kamara’s absence?

An early scoring deficit made the Saints call an audible on which running back to lean on in Week 16. What’s the plan moving forward?

Darren Rizzi told reporters the New Orleans Saints would take a committee approach to replacing Alvin Kamara. Rizzi laid out the plan was to use Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams in the backfield. It seemed to be the plan to use the triumvirate equally, though it had primarily been Miller sharing the backfield with Kamara.

Plans had to change offensively after falling into an early hole against the Green Bay Packers, and that directly impacted the running back room.

“The way the game played out, we dug such a hole. We had a plan for Kendre coming in, and we got into a lot of the two minute drill,” Rizzi responded when questioned about Miller’s usage. He added, “That’s why you saw more of Mims.”

That’s reflective when looking at how the two running backs were used. Miller had the most carries and touches, but Mims was right behind him in usage. Miller’s 10 touches were comprised of eight rushes, while Mims caught the ball on five of his nine touches of the day.

Surprisingly, Williams was the runner with the least amount of activity between the three. It’s unclear if that is connected to the scoring deficit. It is clear Jordan Mims is viewed as the preferred receiving back of the trio.

New Orleans shouldn’t get into an early hole versus the Raiders. Therefore, we should get a more accurate vision of how Rizzi wants to use the running back room if Kamara is unable to play next week,

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Newly-signed running back won’t make Saints debut vs. Packers

Saints fans will have to wait at least one more week to see Clyde Edwards-Helaire in a black and gold uniform:

Earlier this week, Darren Rizzi gave the game plan to replace Alvin Kamara. He mentioned going to a committee approach and listed Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims as the players who we’d see in the backfield for the New Orleans Saints.

Notice anyone missing? Rizzi didn’t mention newly-acquired running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Failing to mention him was the first sign the Saints didn’t plan on bringing Edwards-Helaire up to the active roster this week.

New Orleans isn’t bringing any players up from the practice squad against the Green Bay Packers.

Another mid-season addition, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, sat out a week after being signed. From that point, the receiver has been not only the Saints’ lead receiver in a dire moment of need, he’s also been a bright spot of the Saints offense.

Will Edwards-Helaire follow suit? Miller is likely going to be lead back, and if he stays healthy, he should secure that position. Edwards-Helaire could ascend as high as above Williams. Right now, Edwards-Helaire is likely still familiarizing himself with the playbook.

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Saints planning for ‘a committee approach’ with Alvin Kamara on the mend

The New Orleans Saints are planning to use ‘a committee approach’ with Alvin Kamara on the mend, but expect a lot of Kendre Miller:

The New Orleans Saints are going into Week 16 without their top two rushing options. Taysom Hill is out for the season, and Alvin Kamara will miss at least this week with a groin injury.

So, how will the Saints approach the run game against the Green Bay Packers? Darren Rizzi told reporters this week to expect a “committee approach.”

New addition Clyde Edwards-Helaire wasn’t mentioned, and he will probably need more than a few days to pick up the playbook. For now he’s on the practice squad.

Kendre Miller leading the team in carries feels like the most likely scenario on Monday, but you’ll see Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims as well.

“Between Kendre, Jamaal and Jordan Mims, you’ll see all of those guys, at some point, in the offensive backfield,” Rizzi added.

Miller has been Kamara’s running mate and second in the pecking order since returning from injury. His quick ascension over Williams would make one believe the young rusher will be the leader in the committee approach.

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Saints running back lost to injured reserve with new hamstring injury

Kendre Miller’s recent hamstring injury has forced the Saints to place him on injured reserve, meaning he will miss 10 of the first 12 games in 2024:

The New Orleans Saints injury bug bites again, this time we see Kendre Miller once again with another hamstring injury, the third of his short NFL career to date. This new hamstring injury, separate from the one he suffered in July of this year, has forced the Saints to place Miller on injured reserve, meaning he will miss an additional four weeks. It isn’t the same leg he injured last time.

This also means he will miss 10 of the first 12 games of the 2024 season, and 19 total (since being drafted) by the time he is able to return, assuming he only misses the next four games.

The Saints will now have to rely on Alvin Kamara even more than usual, which is not good given his recent injuries in the past few seasons. The Saints will also be without Jamaal Williams (groin) in this game as he was downgraded at the same time. This leaves the Saints with Kamara, and their two recent signees Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi as their options at the running back position.

Unfortunately, we will not get a good chance to see Miller for awhile again, especially after a few quality runs against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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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.

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Report: Kendre Miller expected to start season on Saints injured reserve

Saints RB Kendre Miller is expected to begin the year on injured reserve, making the position a bit more of a concern entering the season:

The New Orleans Saints have had to make a few decisions today on the running back position, as they released James Robinson and waived Jacob Kibodi, leaving them with only four running backs on the roster. This number goes down to three now, with Kendre Miller expected to start off the season on injured reserve, per NFL insider Josina Anderson.

This leaves the Saints with three active running backs between Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims. Ultimately, they may choose to sign another before the start of the season, or they may just run with these three and see how things pan out. It can be assumed that they will keep a few on the practice squad as well in the event of an injury or necessity for another, which may make things a little easier.

Unfortunate injuries have begun to pile up for Miller, as he missed nine games in his rookie season due to ankle and hamstring problems, and will now miss at minimum four in his sophomore season due to his hamstring issue. The soonest he can return is Week 5’s Monday night road game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Jamaal Williams picked as a trade candidate before NFL roster cuts deadline

Jamaal Williams was picked as a trade candidate before next week’s NFL roster cuts deadline. But his strong game against the 49ers may keep him off the trade block:

We’re rapidly approaching the NFL roster cuts deadline on Aug. 27, and some trades are expected around the league as teams work to get the jump on the waiver wire. The New Orleans Saints are typically buyers at these deadlines, but could they be sellers instead?

If so, Jamaal Williams might be a trade candidate to watch. For The Win’s Cory Woodruff made the case for other teams to check in on the veteran running back ahead of next week’s NFL trade deadline:

The New Orleans Saints are very unlikely to trade running back Alvin Kamara with so much riding on this season with coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr. However, it’s very possible the team could consider freeing up a little cap space (almost $4 million) and adding a draft pick for Williams, who didn’t fit in with New Orleans last season quite like he did with the Detroit Lions in 2022 (1,066 yards, 17 touchdowns). Only 29, Williams could help a contending team in the red zone while the Saints could give 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller a bigger role in the offense.

Possible team fits Woodroof mentioned included the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings.

But Williams may have taken himself off the trade block with a strong game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. He totaled 32 rushing yards on five carries, and even if you take out his longest run (a 15-yard gain) he still averaged more than four yards per attempt.

And when you look more closely at the running backs depth chart, it may not make sense to move Williams. Kendre Miller suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of training camp that prevented him from ever returning to the  practice field before the Saints returned to New Orleans from Irvine. Alvin Kamara was sidelined for a few days last week after experiencing some back tightness, which he’s reported before. Jordan Mims and James Robinson have had some nice moments this summer but as a whole the running backs haven’t shown a ton of playmaking ability.

Is moving Williams worth a late-round draft pick and $3.85 million in cap space? That might be a question the Saints need to ask themselves, but unless Miller returns to health quickly it’s tough to see Williams being moved. But never say never. His hard running on Sunday night may have caught some wandering eyes.

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WATCH: Taysom Hill punches in a touchdown on 4th and goal

The New Orleans Saints’ starting offense scored their first points of the preseason via a Taysom Hill TD run:

Taysom Hill punched in a 1-yard touchdown run as the New Orleans Saints starting offense scored their first points of the preseason, capping off an impressive 95-yard drive against the San Francisco 49ers.

The beginning of the game showed Hill’s effectiveness from the backfield. Hill made plays as a conventional tailback and cleared out running lanes as a lead blocker, showing off some of the quirks we’ve seen the Saints try out at training camp.

When a Jordan Mims run stopped just short of the goal line, Klint Kubiak called on Ol’ Reliable. Taysom delivered when his name was called on fourth-and-goal.

Thiis was a low-risk gamble by Dennis Allen. The Saints either score or leave the ball on the San Francisco one yard line.

Mims’ run looked like he may have barely crossed the goal line, so Allen challenged the play. The replay team decided to uphold the decision on the field as Mims’ shin wasn’t visible upon replay. Hill burst through the line of scrimmage and past the goal line to remove any doubt of a touchdown.

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Jordan Mims can put more pressure on Kendre Miller vs. Cardinals

Kendre Miller’s absence presents Jordan Mims with a golden opportunity in the Saints’ preseason opener. He needs a big game against the Cardinals:

Jordan Mims has started strong in New Orleans Saints training camp. If he can continue his momentum, Mims can make a stronger claim for third on the depth chart.

Normally, Mim and Kendre Miller would share reps against the Arizona Cardinals. That won’t be the case in the debut. Miller is out with an injury which opens up a huge opportunity. He hurt his hamstring on the first day of training camp and hasn’t returned to practice in two and a half weeks.

Alvin Kamara is at the top of the depth chart, and he’ll handle most of the snaps with the starters. Jamaal Williams will likely take snaps with the second team, and this is where Mims will mix in. Miller’s absence takes him out of the rotation. There have been no signs Miller will return soon. Even if it’s just for a game, however, these are valuable reps.

Expect Mims to be supplanted by James Robinson and Jacob Kibodi at the end of the game. This is after he has the opportunity to put distance between him and Miller, though.

Dennis Allen has expressed his frustration with Miller’s inability to stay healthy over the beginning of his career. It caused him to publicly question Miller’s security on the final roster. Combine that with a strong camp by Mims. This is Mims’ opportunity to showcase he availability and capabilities make him the best candidate behind Kamara and Williams.

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