Every preseason game is a big one for the players who are fighting for roster spots, but this Saturday’s tilt against the Denver Broncos is especially crucial for one member of the New Orleans Saints rookie class.
Running back Devin Neal, the Saints’ sixth-round selection this spring, is currently working his way back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for both of the team’s first two exhibition games. Saturday will be his lone chance to show what he can do in a game setting — assuming he can play.
Neal was back at practice Tuesday for the first time since early August.
“It’s been a challenge for Devin, for all of us,” coach Kellen Moore said. “I think Devin has just been wanting to go out there so bad. But he was able to practice in a limited role today, which is awesome, he took the first big step.
“... We’ll see if he’s able to build it in the next couple days and (be) in a position to play this Saturday.”
Neal enjoyed a record-setting career at the University of Kansas, setting the school’s all-time rushing mark with 4,343 yards on the ground. He was also reliably on the field for the Jayhawks, missing only one game in his college career because of injury.
“Sitting out and watching is not familiar territory for me,” Neal said. “It was really weird, I didn’t like it, so I was working really hard to get back and do the thing I love.”
Neal knows he has a big opportunity ahead of him Saturday. The Saints currently have a glut of options for depth behind starter Alvin Kamara, a group that includes a former high Saints draft pick (Kendre Miller), a few established veterans (Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Cam Akers) and one of training camp’s pleasant surprises (Velus Jones).
All of the aforementioned players have been able to show what they can do in live game action to this point, while Neal has been limited to only a few padded practices. Against the Broncos, he hopes to display his multifaceted skillset — in pass protection, as a receiver and also as a runner.
“That’s just showing that you’re a ball-player, honestly,” Neal said. “Making plays, making guys miss, running hard and physical — that’s what being a running back is. So taking the next step and being able to prove I can do that is big for me.”