Running back Kendre Miller of the New Orleans Saints will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, per multiple reports and as confirmed by Saints coach Kellen Moore. Miller sustained the injury in the first half of Sunday’s loss at the Chicago Bears.
A bad break for Miller, to be sure. The third-year back had played in all seven games this season after missing 20 of 34 games over his first two years with injuries. New Orleans is now tasked with replacing Miller, who was second on the team with 193 rushing yards and had 5 receptions for 30 yards. Alvin Kamara will continue to be the team’s primary back, but the Saints will need a complementary backfield weapon.
Rookie Devin Neal likely gets the first crack at those responsibilities. A Round 6 choice out of Kansas, Neal has appeared in three games this season. He’s played a total of 14 offensive snaps and has 3 carries for 10 yards. At 5-foot-11 and 213 pounds, Neal is a rugged runner between the tackles with solid breakaway speed once he gets into open space. He had an impressive blitz pickup of a defensive back against the Bears on Sunday, a crucial but underrated part of being an NFL running back.
In four years with the Kansas Jayhawks, Neal rushed for 4,343 yards and 49 touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per run. He had three seasons of over 1,000 yards on the ground, eclipsing 1,200 yards in 2023 and 2024 while rushing for 16 scores in consecutive years. Neal also proved to be a competent receiver out of the backfield, catching 70 passes for 654 yards over his last three seasons at Kansas.
Taysom Hill is sure to see an uptick in touches with Kendre Miller’s injury. At least, you’d think so. Velus Jones Jr. may also be called up from the practice squad, or the Saints could look to bring in another veteran back. For now though, it’s Devin Neal who gets a chance to show what he can do in a New Orleans offense desperately seeking playmakers.
