Derrick Foster coached Kendre Miller through a season in New Orleans before either man landed in Dallas. In 2024, with Foster overseeing the Saints’ running backs, Miller appeared in six games, started two and ran 39 times for 148 yards and one touchdown. That shared history can make a new playbook feel less foreign.
It cannot turn a practice-squad signing into a promotion by force of memory.
The Cowboys completed Miller’s addition Wednesday, bringing the 24-year-old back into Foster’s orbit as Dallas searches for another option behind Javonte Williams. Monday’s club update indicated that Tyler Goodson faced a possible absence lasting several weeks because of his knee, creating a vacancy after his 12-carry, 77-yard showing against Indianapolis. Miller fills a roster need. He has not been named the next man up.
The Foster connection should help in a narrow, practical way. Miller has already worked under the coach, and he recognized some familiar language when he joined Dallas. Similar terminology can reduce the time spent translating instructions during meetings and practice.
It may let Miller spend more of his introduction learning how this version of the offense applies its concepts rather than starting with every word from scratch.
That benefit remains modest because football’s vocabulary is only the beginning. A back still has to line up correctly, understand the assignment and execute it under pressure. Miller’s familiarity with Foster does not settle those questions, and Dallas has not elevated him from the practice squad for Sunday’s meeting with San Francisco. The club has not announced which back will receive that opportunity.
Miller arrives with real NFL experience, though his recent rushing production does not demand an automatic decision. Across 27 games with New Orleans, he has gained 656 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns. This season, he had 57 carries for 159 yards and two scores, plus nine receptions totaling 37 yards.
The rushing total works out to 2.8 yards per attempt, a number that gives Dallas a reason to inspect his current form rather than assume his draft pedigree answers the question.
His history also calls for a careful evaluation without turning the signing into a medical forecast. His rookie season included trouble with a knee and a hamstring. A hamstring injury cost him time on injured reserve in 2024.
He then suffered an ACL tear in 2025. Wednesday brought a new job, not a promise about durability or a declaration that he is ready for a particular workload.
Dallas has other names in the room. Israel Abanikanda and Jashaun Corbin remain on the practice squad, and the signing does not remove either from consideration. Miller counters that familiarity with NFL game experience and a coach who already knows his background. The staff must compare those advantages in practice rather than award the job to the newest arrival or the longest-serving candidate.