For the most part, the players that the New Orleans Saints held out during organized team activities had a similar workload for the team’s two-day mandatory minicamp that wrapped up Wednesday.
There were some notable exceptions.
Second-round defensive tackle Christen Miller had progressed enough from his hamstring injury that the Saints gave him a handful of reps in practice — with the starters. And he’s not the only other rookie to start to turn a corner: First-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was allowed to participate in the team’s half-speed walkthrough, admittedly a small step but one that’s nonetheless noteworthy.
To this point, the Saints had effectively kept Tyson and Miller in bubble wrap as they work their way back from hamstring injuries. But peeling back the wrap slowly this week is a good sign that they could indeed be ready to go when the Saints convene for training camp next month.
“Man, I felt better weeks ago,” said Miller, who estimated he received about eight snaps in team drills. “But the Saints want to take care of me, make sure I’m ready to go on Sundays and make sure my body is good. … They’re just trying to make sure I take the steps in the right direction and not go back (to being hurt).”
Miller said he had hurt his hamstring while training in his lead-up to the draft. The Georgia product added he didn’t even realize he was injured until the Saints flagged the injury when inspected by the team prior to rookie minicamp in May. The Saints then took a cautious approach with Miller to avoid aggravating the ailment further.
Tyson, too, echoed a similar plan. Speaking at his locker, the wide receiver said his hamstring “feels amazing” and that he didn’t expect the Saints to put him on this type of routine. But he agrees with the approach.
“Very, very player friendly,” Tyson said.
When they were worked into the fold, a clearer picture of how the Saints want to use their talented rookies started to emerge. During the walk-through, Tyson lined up in several spots — including the slot, which was largely occupied by wideout Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson. And in team drills, the Saints rotated their interior defensive lineman so that Miller could work with Bryan Bresee and Vernon Broughton.
Miller wasn’t fazed to be working with the 1’s right away.
“The season ain’t here yet,” Miller said. “Things can be changed. It’s an honor, but that comes with a lot of load, a lot of responsibility. It’s just a standard here that I’ve got to uphold. The standard here is to play fast, play physical and play as a team.
“I’m just trying to embody that.”
Attendance and roster moves
A day after signing his one-year contract, defensive end Cam Jordan was at practice, but did not participate in team drills as the Saints look to get him back into football shape.
Likewise, Olave and running back Alvin Kamara were again sidelined during 11-on-11 periods. Olave is working his way back from last season’s blood clot, while Kamara was given a limited workload after skipping most of the voluntary practices.
The Saints were without running back Kendre Miller (ACL), wide receivers Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton and Bub Means (lower body), running back Devin Neal, cornerbacks Dalys Beanum and Jayden Price and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris.
The Saints also had several new faces at practice after a series of roster moves. The team signed quarterback Hunter Dekkers, wide receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper and kicker Tanner Brown, while cutting defensive tackle Coziah Izzard, cornerback Deshawn Jones, kicker Mason Shipley and wide receiver Damien Alford — the latter of whom was waived with an injury settlement.
Dekkers, fresh off a stint in the UFL, spent a good chunk of last season with the Saints as a developmental quarterback who floated on and off the practice squad. Brown, meanwhile, presents as an interesting challenger to incumbent Charlie Smyth as the 26-year-old became the first kicker to make two attempts of at least 60 yards in one game during this past UFL season.
Rapid fire
As the Saints wrap up mandatory minicamp, Tyler Shough started to find his groove with several tight-window throws on Wednesday during a practice that emphasized end-zone and two-minute situations. … rookie wide receiver Bryce Lance had a very strong afternoon with two touchdowns, and it makes sense he thrived in the red zone as a 6-foot-3 target … Running back Audric Estime shouldn’t be forgotten in the Saints’ running back competition later this summer. He had a strong spring. … We’ll see what the pass rush rotation turns into with Jordan returning, but Chris Rumph flashed a lot during these sessions, even over new acquisitions Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Jennings.