Stay on that side

Kendre Miller is ignoring the noise.

Not literally, because it’s impossible not to hear it or see it when people are sending you links and social media posts every day. But the running back is ignoring the meaning behind every message. He knows whatever you’re saying is fake and you won’t be willing to stand on your negativity when he gets back on the field and does something positive.

“Soon as a motherf---er starts balling it’s like ‘Oh my God, where did this come from?' ‘He's the best!’ And I see through that,” Miller said. “Fans go up and down. They’re going to ride with you, but it’s like how are you doing for them lately. The NFL is what have you done for me lately. I just keep my head straight. I have some work to do to get 100%, so I just come in here every day and do it.”

Miller wasn’t dealing with just a hamstring injury – not exactly, at least. His health situation started with an ankle injury, and that then became a hamstring injury suffered on the first day of training camp due to overcompensating for the original ailment. The running back started having ankle issues back in Week 9 of last season.

“It was the knee and then the ankle was just a freak injury. Because of the ankle and me running a certain way that led to the hamstring. So it’s really just getting me back to 100% and my body all the way aligned because it’s just going to keep happening if I don't get back 100%. So, I’m glad they put me on IR (injured reserve) so I can get back to how I’m supposed to be.”

Miller came into the league doubted. After not participating in the 2023 NFL scouting combine due to a college knee injury, the Saints still drafted Miller with the 71st pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Many believed they should have selected Louisiana native Tyjae Spears. Despite battling injuries all season that limited him all season, Miller managed to put together enough positive moments to create optimism about his future.

Miller flashed in the final game last season against the Atlanta Falcons averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry, finishing with 73 rushing yards and his first career touchdown. He felt free that game being his first of the season without the knee brace that he had worn in his previous seven games.

And that's why Miller is ignoring the noise. He heard it last year when he was hurt, and he heard how quickly people switched up when he got back on the field.

“It was like ‘Aw this and this.’ When I got drafted, then the last game of the season they were like ‘Oh my God.’ Now it’s like ‘Aw he got injured, he’s always hurt, we need to cut him, trade him,'" Miller said. "Everybody has their opinion. I know what I can do, they (The Saints) know what I can do, that’s why I’m still here. So I keep it 100. If you’re on the other side over there stay over there, I’m not with the riding.”

Being placed on injured reserve gives Miller at least five weeks to recover on top of him missing the month of training camp. The earliest he can return to the field is in the Saints Monday night matchup against the Chiefs. Throughout the remainder of his recovery, he plans to continue to silence the outside noise as he works to change the narrative surrounding his career.

“When you’re hurt all the time motherf---ers got an image in their head,” Miller said. "I’m just trying to put that shit to sleep."