Christen Miller’s rookie season keeps getting interrupted, and the latest setback came at the worst possible time.
The New Orleans Saints defensive lineman did not practice Thursday after hurting his knee during Wednesday’s session, putting another obstacle in front of a player who had just been handed a possible opening. Monday’s trade of Davon Godchaux looked like it might clear a path for the second-round pick, but that chance is now in doubt.
Miller was already on shaky ground after being a healthy scratch last week. Since the Saints took him 42nd overall, the 22-year-old has been fighting through one issue after another.
A hamstring injury limited him in the spring, then toe and shoulder injuries surfaced in training camp. During the regular season, he has also appeared on the injury report with a toe issue, an illness, and now this knee problem.
So far, Miller has appeared in only four games. Even when he has been active, New Orleans has kept his workload modest, with his snap share across those outings sitting at 32.2% as he rotated behind the starters. He was inactive in last weekend’s win over the Cleveland Browns despite not being listed with an injury.
His availability for Sunday’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers remains up in the air, but another missed practice Friday would strongly suggest he won’t be ready to go.
The Saints had other injury news on Thursday as well. Running back C.J.
Donaldson missed practice again with a shoulder injury, and center Erik McCoy was also out because of a biceps issue. Running back Alvin Kamara returned after a planned day off for back/rest.
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Saints Make Risky O-Line Pivot With McCoy Out
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Jeremiah Wright will slide into the starting lineup at right guard because of Ruizs move, giving the Saints a reshaped interior in a game where communication and cohesion will matter as much as talent. For an offensive line that has already had to think on its feet, the question now is how smoothly the new alignment holds together once the ball is snapped. [Read more 🡒]