With Travis Etienne sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Saints turn to the explosive former Horned Frog to share backfield duties and spark New Orleans' ground game.
Former TCU running back Kendre Miller could be in line for a much larger role with the New Orleans Saints after a significant change to the team's backfield.
Travis Etienne was placed on injured reserve Thursday after aggravating a hamstring injury during New Orleans' Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. With Etienne now sidelined, the Saints are expected to turn to a combination of Miller and veteran Alvin Kamara, with undrafted rookie C.J. Donaldson also potentially seeing opportunities.
For Miller, the situation represents another chance to carve out a meaningful role in an NFL backfield.
The former TCU standout has already shown that he can contribute when given opportunities, although his role has fluctuated considerably during the opening weeks of the season.
Miller has recorded 13 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown through two games this season, while also catching two passes for five yards on three targets. His most significant opportunity came in Week 1, when Kamara was unavailable.
Against the Detroit Lions, Miller received nine carries and turned them into 30 yards and a touchdown. He played 29 of New Orleans' 90 offensive snaps in that contest, operating as the Saints' second running back behind Etienne.
Miller's role changed once Kamara returned from his knee injury. He was inactive for New Orleans' Week 2 matchup against Baltimore, illustrating how crowded the Saints' backfield had become with all of their primary backs available.
That dynamic should change with Etienne on injured reserve.
Kamara is likely to remain heavily involved, particularly given his experience and ability as both a runner and receiver. However, Miller should have a clearer path to carries and snaps than he did earlier in the season.
For TCU fans, it provides another opportunity to watch one of the program's recent standouts take on an expanded role at the NFL level.
Miller was selected by New Orleans in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after a productive career at TCU. Injuries and a crowded depth chart have limited his consistency since entering the league, but the latest development could give him a chance to establish himself as a more regular part of the Saints' offensive plans.
With Etienne unavailable, Miller's opportunity is likely to grow. How much he capitalizes on those additional chances could determine whether he becomes a bigger part of New Orleans' offense even after the Saints' backfield eventually returns to full strength.
