There wasn't a piece of better news that came out of Tuesday's practice than Devin Neal finally returning. The New Orleans Saints sixth round pick left training camp early with hamstring injury, but his return comes at the perfect time.
There was a lot of hype around the running back after the Saints scooped him up in the sixth round. Many looked at Neal as a late round steal. That momentum carried over into training camp, however, he suffered an injury shortly after pads came on.
The injury robbed Neal of most his opportunity to prove himself, but not all of it. By returning to the field on Tuesday, the rookie has a chance to play in the final preseason game. Because of his final
The Saints RB3 competition is wide open
Neal was out of commission for a couple of weeks, but the door is still wide open for him to make the roster. Sure, things would have been much better if he didn’t get hurt. He seemed to be the favorite to fill in behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
Other players have shown some positives, but it’s hard to say anyone has jumped up and definitively grabbed that position. Velus Jones Jr. has looked the best between him, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but Jones is likely a special teamer who will push the Saints to keep four running backs.
Neal may only have one opportunity to prove to the coaches he deserve the third spot on the depth chart, but if he has a big game, Neal should get that spot. Edwards-Helaire and Akers haven't done anything special yet, and Neal is younger.
The other part of the conversation is Edwards-Helaire and Akers will be easier to retain on the practice squad. Though Neal hasn't participated in preseason, he would likely get grabbed if the Saints cut him. Keeping Neal on the initial roster would still give you the choice to call up one of the veterans during the season from the practice squad.
Neal is younger, seems like he has a higher ceiling (strictly off the unknown) and is the smarter addition. First, he has to deliver in his one opportunity. Neal's first NFL action being a test to that'll sway his roster status. There's a chance Miller doesn't play in the final game, which would give all the backs vying for that spot more opportunities.