The Saints made a notable change to their backfield on Saturday, releasing running back Kendre Miller after seven games, a source familiar with the situation said.
It’s a move that lands with some surprise because Miller had been New Orleans’ most productive runner by volume. He led the team with 57 carries and 159 rushing yards.
But the production never really matched the opportunity. Miller’s 2.8 yards per carry ranked third-fewest among rushers with at least 40 carries, and the Saints have spent the week trying to shake loose a rushing attack that hasn’t found much traction.
That overhaul started Monday, when the team fired run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti.
New Orleans then added Audric Estime off waivers. Estime had been with the Saints last season and through training camp before being waived with an injury settlement in September.
He most recently landed with the Cleveland Browns.
With Miller gone, Estime could be positioned to handle most of the carries Sunday against the Browns. Alvin Kamara is still in the mix, but his workload has been limited this season.
The Saints also ruled out undrafted rookie C.J. Donaldson, their third back, because of concussion and shoulder injuries.
The timing of the move is unusual, coming just one day before game day, but New Orleans also needed a roster spot as it reportedly plans to activate rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson off injured reserve.
Whether Miller ends up back on the practice squad remains to be seen if he clears waivers.
If this is the end of his Saints run, it closes a rocky chapter. Miller had repeatedly frustrated former coach Dennis Allen while battling injuries early in his career.
Kellen Moore gave him a clean slate, but Miller never made the most of it. He tore his ACL last fall against the Chicago Bears, returned ready for the start of this season, and still couldn’t find much rhythm.
The Saints selected Miller in the third round of the 2023 draft out of TCU.
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