Saints Release Kendre Miller, Prepare Kelvin Banks for Return

New Orleans released Kendre Miller on November 7, the day before its game against Cleveland. The running back, drafted in the third round out of TCU in 2023, had struggled to stay available and establish a consistent role with the Saints.

Across 21 games over three seasons, Miller carried the ball 127 times for 497 yards and three touchdowns. He played in six games this season before the team let him go. The Saints also have running back CJ Donaldson in concussion protocol. Travis Etienne Jr. has been eligible to return from injured reserve for a week, though the team’s move on Miller does not confirm whether Etienne will be activated.

Banks is set to return to the lineup against the Browns after recovering from a high ankle sprain that required surgery. He injured the ankle in Week 2 against Baltimore and was placed on injured reserve on September 23. He returned to practice six weeks after surgery, taking part on a limited basis throughout the week.

Banks and his replacement, Asim Richards, were both listed as questionable. Richards is dealing with a thumb injury. Banks’ return comes sooner than an initial best-case estimate of 10 weeks after the injury, and far earlier than some expectations that he could miss the entire season.