On 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning, Jerry Jones revealed that the Cowboys were more likely to sign a running back than trade for one. This came in the wake of the unfortunate news that Tyler Goodson would miss multiple weeks with a knee injury sustained in Sunday's win in Indianapolis.
Per reports, the Cowboys have signed local product Kendre Miller, who was released by the Saints last week. Miller will join the practice squad.
Unless you fancy the likes of Dameon Pierce, Kareem Hunt or Miles Sanders, Miller was the most talented running back available. New Orleans really did Dallas a favor by cutting him loose.
While the Cowboys are making the most of an unfortunate situation, and their offense is more running back-friendly than the one run by old friend Kellen Moore in New Orleans, there's also a reason Miller was available in the first place.
Kendre Miller is a fine signing, but Cowboys fans should temper expectations
Miller did not see the field in New Orleans' Week 9 win. Even with starting RB Travis Etienne still on injured reserve, Kellen Moore preferred Audric Estime (16 carries), Alvin Kamara (six carries), and Zamir White (one carry) over the former TCU star.
A Mount Enterprise native, Miller struggled prior to his release, rushing for 159 yards on 2.8 yards per carry and adding 37 receiving yards on his only catch. According to Pro Football Focus, his 43.7 rushing grade is the worst out of 51 qualified running backs.
Miller managed just one explosive run on 57 carries, while ranking 42nd with 2.37 yards after contact per carry (minimum 50 carries). Only David Montgomery, Breece Hall and Marshawn Lloyd have had more trouble churning out yards through contact.
That's supposed to be his calling card, but that hasn't translated to the NFL. He skipped pre-draft testing altogether in 2023, opting against running the 40-yard dash or participating in the vertical jump, broad jump and agility drills. That raised questions about his athleticism, and his lack of explosiveness in tight spaces has been apparent against NFL defenses.
It's worth noting that injuries have really stunted Miller's career.
Kendre Miller has not stayed healthy in his NFL career
Miller's rookie season was derailed by hamstring and ankle injuries that cost him nine games. The injury woes continued in Year 2, when separate hamstring injuries in both legs and a concussion sidelined him for another 10 games. And a torn ACL brought his 2025 season to a premature end, forcing him to miss the final 10 games.
It's nearly impossible to establish yourself in the NFL when you miss that much time, but Miller has stayed healthy this season and has not played well.
It's a puzzling case, as Miller was one of the nation's top running backs in 2022, rushing for 1,399 yards on a TCU team that made it all the way to the College Football Championship Game.
Maybe a fresh start in Dallas is what Miller needs to get his career back on track. But Cowboys fans should temper expectations. He's a fine signing under the circumstances, but we are long removed from Miller starring for the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth.
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