The New Orleans Saints continue to get hammered at the running back position after rookie Kendre Miller had to leave the preseason opener versus the Kansas City Chiefs. As of right now there is no concrete update on Miller, but it does not sound like it will be a short absence, reports ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

“Saints coach Dennis Allen said [Kendre] Miller sprained a knee and will undergo further testing. Allen said he believed the injury is to the right knee, the same one Miller injured in the Fiesta Bowl in December. That injury kept Miller off the field until the beginning of training camp as he rehabbed during OTAs.”

Saints fans have to be upset with the news on Kendre Miller after already losing Alvin Kamara for the first three regular season games due to suspension. Jamaal Williams is now set to lead a very thin running back room that is desperate to bring in reinforcements.

Eno Benjamin ruptured an achilles during training camp, setting the Saints up to begin the season without Kamara and Benjamin before Miller suffered his knee injury. Besides Williams, the Saints now only have rookie running back Ellis Merriweather healthy on the depth chart.

Thankfully, it doesn't seem like Miller's injury ended up being as severe as expected. While Miller did sprain his knee, he won't be forced to undergo surgery, and could end up being ready to suit up for the Saints come Week 1, which would be huge given their aforementioned running back woes.

Via Tom Pelissero:

“Tests confirmed Saints RB Kendre Miller suffered a knee sprain in Sunday's preseason win over the Chiefs, per source. No surgery. He'll likely miss a little time, but optimism the third-round pick will be ready Week 1.”

Given how dire things initially looked, this is a pretty positive update for the Saints. Miller will be forced to miss some time it seems, but if all goes according to plan, it looks like he could be on the field for New Orleans come Week 1.