There's no hint of self-pity in Kendre Miller these days. He's been calloused by enough hard knocks to last an NFL career.
The 24-year-old running back, the New Orleans Saints' third-round pick in 2023, played just 21 games his first three seasons due in part to a rocky relationship with the previous coaching staff, and an injury turnstile that included hamstring strains (2024), a concussion (2024) and a torn ACL (2025).
Even this year, he missed time in training camp with a back issue before returning Aug. 18 for the Saints' joint practice with Dallas in Oxnard, Cal.
But in the week since his return, Miller mounted strong joint practices against Dallas and the Rams, was one of the few bright spots in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams (six carries for 22 yards and a 29-yard kickoff return in his brief appearance), and maintained an attitude that will serve him well.
"I was 20 when I got drafted," he said Monday. "This is my fourth year; I just turned 24 in June — you're kind of a kid coming out of college. I feel like the injuries helped me become a man — just how to handle everything. It grew me up.
"The injuries, to me, have been a blessing in disguise. I just know how to handle. It's not the end of the world. Like I told myself last year (after tearing his ACL), I was walking after doing everything. So, you've just got to take the little wins and keep going."
The Saints need Miller to keep going, and going, and going, because the running back room has been ravaged by injuries since training camp opened. Alvin Kamara (knee), Devin Neal (hamstring), Audric Estimé (ankle) and Miller all have missed time.
Estimé returned to practice Monday, but the attrition led New Orleans to make a trade — linebacker Deion Jones to San Francisco in for running back Zamir White — to provide depth.
"We have a few guys that are kind of dealing with some injury stuff and some maintenance," Saints coach Kellen Moore said. "Zamir has played a lot of football in this league so we feel fortunate to be able to get him."
Even so, the opportunity for Miller won't get more golden — though it comes at the expense of injured teammates.
"I've got to put whatever I can on tape," said Miller, who has rushed for 497 yards and three touchdowns on 127 carries, and caught 20 passes for 180 yards in his cameos. "You never want to see your teammates get hurt, but it's always been a next man up mentality. I'll have probably a bigger role now since A.K. is down, so I'm going to just take that and try to run with it. However long, whatever, I'm going to step up and give it my all."
New Orleans has only seen glimpses of Miller's capabilities, and while those peeks have suggested that the 6-foot, 220-pounder can be a bruiser and a home run hitter, he and an athlete's best ability — availability — barely have dated.
If that marriage happens, it could give New Orleans the quality it needs to pair with Etienne while Kamara heals, and breathe life into a career that needs oxygen.
"It's definitely hard not playing, because my college career I didn't have any injuries," Miller said. "I guess football, nobody is going to get through the season perfect. You're going to have bumps and bruises. That's easy to deal with. I'm just trying to do whatever I can to stay out there and put together that full season this year."
Latest transactions
In addition to the trade for White, a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in '22 who has rushed for 736 yards and two touchdowns on 198 carries and caught 25 passes for 152 yards, the Saints placed cornerback Rejzohn Wright on injured reserve and signed free agent kicker Daniel Carlson, a former two-time All-Pro ('21 and '22).
Carlson joins the Saints' kicking competition with Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown, each of whom has missed a field goal attempt — Smyth from 52 yards, Brown from 39 — in preseason games. In eight seasons Carlson made 225 of 259 attempts (86.7 percent), with a long of 60 yards. In his All-Pro years he made 40 of 43 (in '21) and 34 of 37 (in '22).
"We felt good about where we were at with those two young guys," Moore said. "We feel like at this time adding a third guy is going to be valuable for us. We'll just let the next few days take its course. We'll have a really good day on Wednesday with kicking at practice and then transition into the Friday game."
All three kickers will have work Wednesday during New Orleans' open practice at Yulman Stadium on Tulane's campus, and will be available for Friday's preseason finale, against Dallas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tx.
Start time
Moore said the staff hasn't decided if the starters will play against Dallas. The Saints have participated in three joint practices – against the Jaguars, Cowboys and Rams – and the starters received the bulk of the work, mainly against the opposing team's starters.
