New Orleans Saints Christen Miller (52) runs across the field during Saints Minicamp at the Saints Indoor Practice Facility in Metairie, La., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
When the New Orleans Saints selected [Christen Miller](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/4c3461eb-8db9-4624-8b4e-1e32fae1dbcf/) in the second round, the team made the selection in part because of how effective the defensive lineman was against the run.
But facing Bijan Robinson and a potent rushing attack, Miller was inactive in Monday’s 45-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons — despite being cleared to play after a toe injury that kept him out of the last two games.
What gives?
“He was just coming back from an injury,” Moore said. “I thought he had a good week of practice, but you know, with the time on task with those other guys, I felt like (it was) the right decision for us.”
Miller was a limited participant for the first two days of practice last week, but was upgraded to full on Friday. Still, the approach is the latest way the Saints have carefully handled the defensive lineman. In the spring, New Orleans carefully managed Miller’s workload after he suffered a hamstring injury. Then in training camp, Miller rarely saw work with the starters.
With Miller a scratch, the Saints relied on Colby Wooden, Khristian Boyd and John Ridgeway to bolster their interior defensive line depth. But no matter who was in for New Orleans, the Saints couldn’t stop Bijan Robinson — or his backup, Brian Robinson. The Falcons rushed for 205 yards and five touchdowns on 35 carries.
Miller has played in just one game this season, logging 25 snaps in the team's season-opening loss to Detroit.