Arizona Cardinals’ Bruce Arians wants to get Andre Ellington more touches
By Jason Marcum
Arizona Cardinals rookie RB Andre Ellington has been one of the most surprising players of the 2013 season, and the team may be ready to make him a featured weapon on their offense. In his first game as the featured back, Ellington ran for 154 yards on 15 carries and helped open the Cardinals’ offense in a 27-13 win over the Falcons in Week 8.
This is now three games this season with double digits in Fantasy points for Ellington, but it was his first game with double digits in carries. It won’t be his last this year though.
Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians has stated that he “would like to get Ellington around 20 touches a game” moving forward, but veteran RB Rashard Mendenhall will still start:
"Coach Bruce Arians has said he would like to get rookie running back Andre Ellington around 20 touches a game. He had 17 in his most recent game against Atlanta — 15 carries, two receptions — and Arians said the uptick, in his mind, might be best suited as a receiver to get Ellington into space.Veteran Rashard Mendenhall is not only back practicing, but he will start Sunday, Arians said Friday (much to the chagrin of those out there who want it to be Ellington)."
Mendenhall and Ellington have both gotten plenty of carries for the Cardinals this year. Going into Sunday, Ellington had 179 rushing yards on 28 carries, plus 190 receiving yards on 20 catches. Mendenhall has just 281 rushing yards and three scores, plus 66 receiving yards.