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Saints Training Camp 2024: Key Takeaways from July 24, 2024

Running back Kendre Miller leaves practice early with injury

1. Gratuitous weather takeaway

Welcome to the first edition of Takeaways 2024. I'll be giving my observations daily about each and every Saints Training Camp practice while we are here in Irvine, Calif. Hopefully, you'll enjoy them as much as I enjoy bringing them to you. I promise this will be the only mention of the weather and setup in Irvine, then we'll move on for good. First, the setup is at Crawford Field on the campus of UC Irvine, the former home of the Los Angeles Rams training camp. Two full football fields with Bermuda grass and a goal post on each field only on the west side. The fields run east to west. The weather is going to be pretty much the same every day. Nearly perfect. Temperature was around 80 degrees at the start of practice at 9:30 a.m. PDT getting up to 84 by the end at 11 a.m. and not a cloud in the sky. The wind was out of the southwest around 10 mph, just ideal conditions. Coach Dennis Allen mentioned that not being in the heat and humidity in New Orleans might present the opportunity to push the players a little harder than they might normally back home. We saw that immediately with 40 up downs for the defense after stretching and a full conditioning drill for the entire team post practice. Also the pace of practice was VERY brisk, with some drills ending a little earlier than what was scheduled. All in all, it was a good first day.

2. Tough day for Kendre

Unfortunately it wasn't all good news. Second-year running back Kendre Miller has some high expectations this season. The TCU product has shown flashes of his obvious ability but has just not been on the field enough due to various injuries. After participating fully in OTAs and mandatory minicamp in June it appeared that Miller was ready to take the step that all Saints fans have been waiting for. Unfortunately, his training camp got off to a very inauspicious beginning when he pulled up after taking his first rep in individual drills and walked off the field. Allen mentioned post practice that it was a hamstring issue and was obviously frustrated at the situation. Allen also mentioned that Miller has got to find a way to stay on the field. Let's hope that the issue is minor and he's back sooner than later but every rep is important for Miller and already missing time in training camp will not help his development.

3. Play of the Day

A regular feature here on Takeaways, I'll report on this daily. Really wasn't expecting one on the first day with a shorter practice (NFL mandated 90 minutes) and not a whole lot going on, but linebacker Demario Davis had other ideas. On the first play of the second team potion or practice, the offense was moving west to east on the south field. Quarterback Derek Carr looked to hit wide receiver Rashid Shaheed on a 10-yard crossing route. Instead he found the waiting arms of the Captain, who picked it off cleanly between the numbers, ran to the right and took it to the house for a pick-six. Allen mentioned after practice he enjoyed the big play by his big play linebacker but also not to be concerned with some early mistakes by the offense as it continues to figure out what works and what doesn't under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. It definitely was refreshing though to see a big play by Davis this early in camp, which has been a trademark of his throughout his Saints tenure.

Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Wednesday, July 24.

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