The New Orleans Saints boast a solid lineup at the skill positions, but head coach Dennis Allen believes they need to elevate their game, especially with injuries affecting key players.
In their recent matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Chris Olave battled through a hamstring issue, while Taysom Hill, who scored the team’s first two touchdowns, left the game with a rib injury. This situation led to an increased workload for Alvin Kamara and expanded responsibilities for Rashid Shaheed. Allen emphasized the need for other players to contribute beyond the team’s stars.
“We have to identify additional players who can make impactful plays besides Alvin, Olave, and Taysom,” Allen stated on Monday after reflecting on the loss to the Falcons. He noted that while Shaheed made some positive contributions offensively, including catching 8 of 11 targets for 83 yards, he also made a costly mistake on special teams by fumbling an early punt that resulted in an Atlanta touchdown. Olave led the team with 8 receptions for 87 yards, while Kamara added 77 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards.
The team is looking for potential spark from Kendre Miller, who missed all of training camp and the first four games due to a hamstring injury. Allen expressed his curiosity about whether Miller has grasped the offensive scheme without having practiced it.
Another player expected to step up is Juwan Johnson. However, he has struggled to make an impact in Klint Kubiak’s offense, reminiscent of his lack of production from the previous season. If Johnson continues to struggle with getting open and securing passes, the Saints may need to explore other options.
It is particularly disappointing for the Saints to see their recent draft picks, such as Miller, A.T. Perry, and Bub Means, watching games from the sidelines. Allen is correct in stating that other players must rise to the occasion, but the drafted players have not lived up to expectations. The Saints are unlikely to sign any free agents who could outperform their current roster, and it seems they won’t be positioned to make a significant trade before the November deadline. However, Allen’s comments suggest that changes may be on the horizon.
