The Saints’ backfield is still the main thing to watch as New Orleans keeps grinding through Week 1 prep, and Kendre Miller’s absence is once again front and center.
Miller was not seen at practice, and he was joined on the sideline by Alvin Kamara, Audric Estime, Oscar Delp and Cam Jordan. Head coach Kellen Moore said Miller and Estime are “just working through some stuff,” while making sure to note that Miller’s current issue is not tied to the back injury he dealt with during training camp.
That clarification is a big one. Miller has already had more than his share of injury interruptions in his young NFL career, so any missed practice time is going to draw attention fast. For now, the Saints are still monitoring his status as the regular season gets closer.
The list of players not spotted during the session also included Trey Palmer, Cedric Tillman and Charlie Smyth.
On the other side of the ledger, Treyton Welch, Kevin Austin Jr. and Stone Smartt were present.
New Orleans also kept moving pieces around on the roster and practice squad. The team re-signed wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. after releasing him briefly following roster cuts, and tight end Treyton Welch is back on the practice squad after spending training camp with the Saints. The club also reached injury settlements with CB Dalys Beanum and OT Barry Wesley.
For the Saints, the biggest storyline remains the same: what exactly the running back room looks like once Week 1 arrives. With Miller, Kamara and Estime all out of practice, the situation deserves a close watch. The key is whether these absences are just short-term maintenance or something that forces New Orleans to rethink its opening-week plans.
Miller, especially, will keep drawing the spotlight because of the talent he brings and the injury issues that have followed him.
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