Good news, everyone: both of the players listed on the New Orleans Saints injury report as questionable for Sunday’s game are active. Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach and rookie running back Kendre Miller were the latest personnel to miss time in practice while dealing with a virus that has been making its way through the team facility, but they’ll gut it out and dress for Week 9’s matchup with the Chicago Bears.
Roach has played well in a contract year, totaling 182 snaps at defensive tackle behind Nathan Shepherd (270), Bryan Bresee (245), and Khalen Saunders (242). He’s posted 22 combined tackles (7 solo, 3 tackles for loss) through the first eight games along with a pass deflection and several quarterback pressures.
Miller was slowed by a hamstring injury to start his first season as a pro, but he’s logged 82 snaps on offense in six games. The rookie has gained 83 rushing yards on 27 attempts (3.1 yards per carry) and caught 8 passes for 80 yards (10 yards per reception). His 163 scrimmage yards rank ninth among first-year running backs going into Week 9, but so do his 35 combined touches. He needs to show more of the big-play ability the Saints coveted from his college game tape.
