This was the last game you wanted to be without Kaden Elliss, Carl Granderson and Anfernee Jennings. All three players would have been critical pieces for the New Orleans Saints to stop Bijan Robinson, but they've all been ruled out on Saturday. Pete Werner's status is still up in the air, so the Saints run defense may not be done losing players yet
We'd already taken a look at how losing Elliss would impact the team on multiple fronts, and now that concern is a reality. It makes Werner's availability all that more important, because while he can't make up for the loss of Elliss, Werner can at least stop the bleeding.
No Werner would put the Saints in a position where they'd have to start Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird, with no reserves behind them. Depth aside, these are two players who are going to be in bigger positions than they've been in during their professional career. Stutsman is going to transition from splitting time with Werner to full time starter regardless, due to Elliss injury, and Stalbird could go from a situational defender to starter if Werner can't play.
Christen Miller will need to be a part of the interior defensive line push this week
The Saints could be without their starting linebackers, and that doesn't even get to the edge rushers. Granderson is one of the starters and a quality run defender. Jennings has made his name off being a run stuffer in the league.
Jordan also takes great pride in his run defense, but this is an all hands on deck type of game. Losing Jennings hurts the rotation of defenders best equipped to slow down Robinson. That's where Christen Miller comes into play.
Miller isn't a linebacker or edge defender, but he will be a vital part of stopping Robinson nonetheless. And unlike the rest of his teammates, Miller is coming back from injury.
The rookie defensive tackle hasn't been active since Week 1 due to a toe injury. He goes into this game with no injury designation and will be good to go. Miller didn't record any stats in his debut, and that'll need to change this week.
We've seen plays by Khristian Boyd and Colby Wooden recently. Miller will need to make some pop plays as well if the Saints hope to contain Robinson. Boyd's tackle for a loss on the goal line against the Raiders is a great example of what the Saints need from Miller.
Bijan Robinson has been consistently hit behind the line of scrimmage, and the injuries in the front 7 make it paramount that the interior defensive line takes advantage of that. Moments like this are why New Orleans drafted Miller in the second round.
The former Georgia Bulldog also made his name as a run stuffer. He'll need to use his quickness to penetrate the offensive line and get to Robinson. Miller will be one part of the rotation, but he's one of the pieces with the highest ceiling.
Miller impressed during the preseason, but it's all about doing it when it counts. He's not on some clock, but this would be an opportune moment to show up. Interior pressure could be more important than it typically is since they're all healthy.
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