Lamar Miller has not played since injuring his knee in the preseason of Houston’s 2019 season. He signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in the offseason. Roger Steinman/Associated Press
He had been a productive running back for seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans.
Lamar Miller rushed for 5,864 yards on 1,354 carries, scoring 32 touchdowns, and caught 209 passes with eight TD receptions. He went over the 1,000-yard mark with both teams, gaining 1,099 yards with the Dolphins in 2014 and 1,073 yards with the Texans two years later, and made the Pro Bowl in 2018.
But on the Texans’ opening drive in the third game of the preseason against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 24, 2019, Miller suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. That put an end to Miller’s season, and with free agency looming, left his future very much up in the air.
After a year of rehabilitation and getting back into playing shape, Miller signed a one-year deal with the Patriots on Aug. 13. He was immediately placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list before being activated on Monday.
The 29-year-old Miller took part in the past two practices as he tries to get ready with the regular-season opener a week from Sunday against the Dolphins.
“It felt good just to be back out there with my teammates, getting my feet wet,” said Miller during a video conference after Tuesday’s practice in Foxborough. “Just getting accustomed to everything, just trying to get back in the groove of things, it felt great.
“Everything feels good. I’m just out there just trying to get better every day, just continue to get back in the groove and try to get better as a player to do anything my team needs. I’m just trying to go out there and show I’m dependable, a guy who can do my job and make plays when my number is called.”
Miller has plenty of first-hand knowledge about the Patriots, appearing in seven games against them with the Dolphins. With the Texans, he played in three regular-season games and one postseason game against New England.
His overall record is 3-8 with all of the wins coming from 2013-15 while playing for the Dolphins.
“It was an easy decision,” said Miller of joining the Patriots. “I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to come to a great organization, play for a great coach. I’ve heard a lot of great things about him. I knew some guys on the team, so I just felt like coming here would be a good decision.
“I’ve been playing them every year since I’ve been with the other teams. (Texans head coach) Bill O’Brien, he came from the Patriots, so the offense was pretty much similar, so I just felt like coming in late to training camp would carry over. It’s a winning organization. That’s why I came here.”
Miller, who played at the University of Miami, said that going against the Patriots since 2012 gave him a great appreciation for his new team.
“You just knew when you played the Patriots you always have to come you’re your ‘A’ game,” said Miller. “You know what type of team that you’re facing. You know what type of coaching that you’re facing. … So now just being here and seeing how they run things, you can tell why you always have to be prepared.
“You can see why they’re a winning organization. They work. They do a lot of things differently and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Miller and fellow Patriots running backs James White and Sony Michel are all from south Florida. Miller and White have been workout partners while Miller tried to recruit Michel to play at the University of Miami.
Now, those three – along with Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris and J.J. Taylor – are part of a crowded field at running back. Since Miller missed a full year, it is unsure how much he will be able to contribute early. Miller said he could have played this week if the preseason games were taking place.
“At this moment, I’m just trying to get better as a player, just trying to do all the little things right,” said Miller when asked if he’d be available on opening day. “That’s the coach’s decision. I’m just here to work and just show I’m willing to do anything to help this team win.
“Just trying to get my feet wet again. That was the main thing for me. So far, I’m knocking the rust off. I’ve just got to get back in the groove of things.”
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