Arizona Cardinals will ‘remain careful’ with running back Andre Ellington

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Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) rushes for a gain against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) rushes for a gain against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

With Arizona Cardinals starting running back Rashard Mendenhall nursing a toe injury, many were thinking (or more like hoping) that rookie Andre Ellington would see an increase in playing time. Mendenhall, who is questionable for Week 8 hasn’t played well at all so combined with his injury, one would assume the door would be wide open for Ellington to run through.

Apparently not.

According to Darren Urban, the Cardinals say they will ‘remain careful’ with Ellington, not wanting to overwork their young talent:

"OC Goodwin reiterated today Cards will remain careful with Ellington. Don’t want him beat up. RT @Coximus2: @Cardschatter#FreeEllington"

While their concern is understood, there’s a different between being careful and simply not using the guy.

Being careful is not putting him in a position where you do overuse him or force him into a style of play he needs to avoid, not just limiting his offensive snaps.

If Mendenhall can’t go, the Cardinals will apparently go with a committee approach, which will include Ellington on limited snaps.