The running back battle for the New Orleans Saints has been one of the most anticipated competitions on this roster and everyone was excited to see it on display during their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Saints are searching for a complimentary piece as the back up running back to Alvin Kamara, and a third back to solidify their depth chart.
Unfortunately, the battle did not live up to the hype and was quite disappointing to say the least. The Saints run game couldn’t seem to generate any production as the running back room rushed for under 2 yards per carry, totaling 15 carries for 29 yards.
Kendre Miller stands clear in the drivers seat as Saints RB2
Saints fans have been high on Kendre Miller since he was drafted by the squad in 2023. After dealing with nagging injuries during his first 2 seasons, the Saints decided to add competition at the running back position to give him an extra boost.
Star running back Alvin Kamara and other key starters sat out as expected , which granted Miller the keys as the starting running back. He had the most productive day out of all of the Saints running backs, finishing with 6 carries for 15 yards, and a 9 yard reception.
The Saints were only interested in seeing a small sample size from Miller, giving him an opportunity to acclimate himself in the new offensive scheme. He only played in two offensive series and was pulled from the game after the 1st quarter. This probably indicates that he will most likely be penciled in as the complimentary back to Alvin Kamara.
The Saints third running back spot remains wide open for the taking
Although the Saints run game did not perform well, the entire blame doesn’t fall on them. The Saints offensive line played poorly and it affected the rushing attack. There was no push, gaps, or running lanes for the running backs to break through. The trio of Cam Akers, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Veluz Jones Jr. finished with only 9 carries for 14 yards.
The rushing offense couldn’t get things going at any phase of the game, including inside the red zone. Jones Jr’s rush for a loss of a yard and Miller’s rush for a loss of 4 yards, were glaring moments of the group’s inability to run the football in their lone trip to the redzone.
The third running back spot continues to hold a vacancy, after a dissatisfying preseason debut. The race remains wide open and the coaches will continue to evaluate throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason.