The New Orleans Saints are facing a significant setback in their secondary, as starting safety Will Harris has been placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
This decision will sideline Harris for at least the next four games, which is a considerable blow for the Saints’ defense. In response to his absence, the team has activated second-year running back Kendre Miller from injured reserve to take his place on the 53-man roster.
Both Harris and Miller have been dealing with hamstring issues; Harris sustained his injury during the game against the Chiefs on Monday, while Miller has recently recovered from his own. Miller has shown that he is fit, participating fully in practices throughout the week, in contrast to Harris, who was unable to take part.
Historically, hamstring injuries can be tricky and often take longer to heal, which explains the team’s cautious approach regarding Harris’s recovery.
In his sixth NFL season and second with the Saints after previously playing with the Detroit Lions, Harris has been a reliable presence on the field, consistently available for games. His current situation marks the first significant amount of time he has missed; since being drafted in 2019, he has only missed two games out of a possible 88, starting 45 of those contests.
With Harris sidelined, the Saints are expected to rely on second-year safety Jordan Howden to fill the void alongside veteran Tyrann Mathieu in the defensive lineup.
Howden brings experience as he stepped in to start seven games last season when Marcus Maye was injured. In a worst-case scenario, the Saints might roster veteran Johnathan Abram from their practice squad as backup depth behind Howden.
Kendre Miller, upon his return, is likely to assume the role of running back No. 3, stepping in behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Last season, Miller, a third-round draft pick, was a key contributor, ranking fourth on the team in both rushing yards and carries behind Kamara, Williams, and versatile player Taysom Hill.
In conjunction with these roster moves, the Saints have also announced that Abram and offensive guard Chris Reed will be elevated from the practice squad for the game against the Buccaneers on Sunday. However, both players are expected to return to the practice squad following the game.
This reshuffling comes at a crucial time for the Saints as they prepare to face their divisional rivals.
