Dennis Allen’s recent comments sound like Saints are planning to cut Kendre Miller

After last season ended, there weren’t many New Orleans Saints players that generated more excitement for the future amongst fans than Kendre Miller. Coming off a rookie season that started with an injury, Miller ended the year strong, giving hope that he was the future of the running back position for the franchise.

Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case. As the NFL approaches cut day, when teams have to trim their rosters down to 53 players, Saints fans are wondering if Miller will even make the regular-season roster. Some recent comments from New Orleans’ head coach makes it seem like he isn’t.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Dennis Allen bluntly expressed he knows Miller is talented, but he has no idea if he can learn the new offensive systems, because the young running back hasn’t been on the field. Miller sustained a hamstring injury on the first day of camp and has been watching from the sideline ever since.

Dennis Allen isn’t sure if Kendre Miller can learn new offense since he hasn’t practiced

This isn’t the first time Allen has addressed Miller’s injury with this straightforward attitude. On the day Miller injured his hamstring, the very first day of training camp practices, Allen told the media the young running back needs to figure out how to stay healthy, because he can’t make the team from the training room.

Now, with the preseason concluding on Sunday, and cut day two days later on Tuesday, August 27, Miller is still sidelined. Soon, it will be time to learn how much Allen meant what he said. With Kendre Miller essentially missing all of training camp, the Saints must decide if they want to go with potential and mental reps, or give a guy like Jordan Mims, who has had a solid camp, a chance.

It's an unfortunate reality for Miller, who rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 41 carries as a rookie, especially since he can’t really control his health. However, with the Saints putting in a new offense this year, and pretty much everyone entering the season on the hot seat, Dennis Allen and the franchise will ultimately have to do what they feel is best for the team.

The team will have one avenue where they can keep Miller around without adding him to the 53-man roster, and that’s placing him on injured reserve (IR). If he’s placed on IR, he will have to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. Eventually, New Orleans will be able to open a practice window, and decide if he’ll be activated or remain on IR for the rest of the year.

If activated, and added to the 53-man roster, a corresponding move would have to be made, which would likely be a different running back being cut.

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