Saints brace for backfield shake-up after Miller's season-ending ACL injury

Saints brace for backfield shake-up after Miller’s season-ending ACL injury

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller will unfortunately miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, as confirmed by Saints coach Kellen Moore. Miller sustained the injury during the first half of the team’s recent loss to the Chicago Bears.

This injury marks a tough setback for the third-year player, who had successfully participated in all seven games this season after struggling with injuries in the past, missing 20 of 34 games during his first two seasons. The Saints now need to replace Miller, who ranked second on the team with 193 rushing yards and also contributed 30 receiving yards on five receptions.

With Miller sidelined, Alvin Kamara will step up as the primary running back. However, New Orleans will require additional support in their backfield, and rookie Devin Neal is expected to take on a significant role in the offense. Drafted in the sixth round out of Kansas, Neal has seen action in three games this season, totaling 10 yards on three carries across 14 offensive snaps. His physical running style, combined with the ability to break away for longer gains, makes him a promising prospect. Notably, he showcased his skill in pass protection with a solid blitz pickup against the Bears.

During his college career at Kansas, Neal amassed impressive statistics, rushing for 4,343 yards and scoring 49 touchdowns while maintaining an average of 5.7 yards per carry. His track record includes three seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards, including back-to-back years surpassing 1,200 yards with 16 touchdowns in each.

Additionally, Taysom Hill is expected to see an increase in touches due to Miller’s injury. The Saints may also consider promoting Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad or bringing in a veteran running back to further strengthen their unit. For now, Devin Neal has the opportunity to prove himself in an offense that is actively searching for playmakers following this injury setback.

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