Kendre Miller’s NFL Journey: Flashes of Promise, Shadowed by Injuries
When the New Orleans Saints selected Kendre Miller in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, they weren’t just adding a running back - they were betting on upside. Miller had just helped carry TCU to the national championship game, racking up 1,399 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in the process. He was the fourth back off the board that year, following Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Zach Charbonnet - and while he didn’t come in with the same level of hype, the Saints saw something worth investing in.
The vision was clear: pair Miller with Alvin Kamara to recreate the kind of dynamic backfield the team had enjoyed during Mark Ingram’s prime years. Miller brought a blend of power and burst that could complement Kamara’s versatility. But as it turned out, the biggest hurdle wasn’t talent - it was availability.
Rookie Season: A Glimpse, Then Gone
Miller’s rookie year was a stop-and-start affair. Injuries limited him to just eight games, and even when he suited up, he wasn’t a consistent part of the offensive game plan.
He logged more than 10 offensive snaps in only four of those contests. Still, in limited action, he managed 156 rushing yards and caught 10 passes for another 117 - not eye-popping numbers, but enough to show glimpses of what he could do with the ball in his hands.
Year Two: More Setbacks, Less Patience
Year two didn’t bring the jump many hoped for. Injuries once again derailed his season, and this time, they came with added consequences.
Under then-head coach Dennis Allen, Miller found himself sliding down the depth chart and out of favor. He appeared in just six games, tallying 148 rushing yards and 33 receiving.
The frustration was building - not just for Miller, but for a Saints team that needed more out of its backfield depth.
2025: A New Coach, A New Role, A Familiar Ending
With Kellen Moore taking over as head coach, 2025 offered a clean slate. Miller came out of the preseason healthy and even took on a new role as a kickoff returner, averaging an impressive 25 yards per return.
Offensively, he began to carve out a role and, in some stretches, looked more effective than Kamara in Moore’s system. Through seven games, Miller led the team in yards per carry (4.1) and rushed for 193 yards.
It wasn’t a breakout campaign, but it was progress - until Week 7. That’s when Miller tore his ACL against the Bears, ending his season just as he was finding his rhythm. It was his longest stretch of consecutive games played (seven), but the injury once again cut short any momentum he was building.
Looking Ahead: Make-or-Break in 2026
Miller heads into the final year of his rookie contract with a lot on the line. He’s played in just 21 of a possible 51 games over three seasons.
The talent is there - that much is clear. He’s shown he can contribute as a runner, receiver, and return man.
But availability is the trait he’s struggled to deliver most.
For the Saints, the question heading into 2026 is whether they can afford to keep counting on potential. The team needs backfield production, and with Kamara not getting any younger, the opportunity is there for Miller - if he can stay on the field.
This upcoming season could be the defining chapter of Miller’s NFL career. The Saints still believe in what he can bring, but belief only goes so far. At some point, the production has to match the promise.