Injury-related absences among key players on the New Orleans Saints’ offense are making new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s job “a lot more challenging,” coach Dennis Allen said on Wednesday.
“Availability is the most important ability,” Allen said as the Saints prepared for their preseason finale against Tennessee on Sunday. “So, if you’re out here and practicing, we get a chance to evaluate you. If you’re not, it’s hard for us to make evaluations.”
Running back Kendre Miller, a 2023 third-round draft pick from TCU, strained a hamstring during the first individual drill of the first practice of training camp on July 24 and has not returned. Deep-threat receiver Rashid Shaheed, expected to be a starter in his third NFL season, has been limited by a toe injury.
Allen sounded doubtful about Miller’s situation, mentioning that the team has not had much new information about him since the draft.
“Quite frankly, since we drafted him, there hasn’t been a whole lot of new information other than what I saw on the college tape because he hasn’t been available,” Allen said.
“I know he’s talented but I don’t know if he can learn the system. I don’t know if he can pick up the system because I haven’t seen him out there.” Miller was also injured and unable to play in the national title game, which TCU lost to Georgia.
Injuries limited Miller to eight games in his rookie season, during which he rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown, and had 10 receptions for 117 yards.
With teams needing to cut their rosters from 90 to 53 players by Tuesday, Allen did not speculate on how the absences of Miller or other players might impact their chances of being placed on the injured reserve list.
Allen said he doesn’t expect Shaheed’s toe injury “is going to be something that’s going to keep him out of an extended period of time. But look, he’s another guy that we’d like to get him out here and get some looks.”
“When you’re the play-caller and you’re trying to put guys in the best position to do the things that they do well and have success, it’s easier to do when you’ve had experience with a certain player,” Allen said.
“Being that this is a new system and a new play caller, I think it’s important that we figure out: How are we going to utilize certain players? So, it makes it more challenging when guys aren’t out here.”
While veteran starting quarterback Derek Carr is healthy, there have been other intermittent absences by key skill players, including running back Alvin Kamara, who missed much of the third week of camp with back soreness.
Tight end Juwan Johnson is just now returning on a limited basis from foot surgery he had this summer.
Kubiak, whom Allen hired in February to revamp the offense, said his staff still has “a lot of work” to do to refine its scheme before the season opener against Carolina on Sept. 8, “because there’s been so much attrition, especially at skill positions, guys being in and out.”
“The continuity we’re seeking isn’t there yet. And that’s just part of football,” Kubiak said. “Until then, it gives guys a great opportunity to step up.”
Those players include running back Jordan Mimms, a second-year pro from Fresno State, and receiver Bub Means, a fifth-round draft pick from Pittsburgh.
When asked about the Saints’ depth at running back, excluding the injured Miller, Allen said, “I feel comfortable with where we’re at. I like our players and I think we’ve got guys that can play in the National Football League. So, that’s not a concern.”
