The Arizona Cardinals may have to go to a running back by committee while starter Andre Ellington recovers from a minor PCL sprain.
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
Arizona Cardinals starting running back Andre Ellington could be out up to two weeks with a Grade 1 PCL strain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
From @RapSheet -- MRI for RB Andre Ellington confirmed a minor (Grade 1) PCL sprain in his knee. Out this week, potentially next week.
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) September 14, 2015
Ellington left Arizona’s win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the fourth quarter with an apparent knee problem. A PCL injury was the initial evaluation, but fortunately an MRI revealed Ellington’s sprain to be relatively minor.
The third-year back out of Clemson was seen walking without a limp after Sunday’s game and is considered week-to-week for now. While Ellington is the featured back for the team, the Cardinals finally have a bit of depth at the running back position and will not have to rush him back if necessary.
Ellington broke out during his rookie season with the Cardinals in 2013, rushing for 652 yards on 118 carries. He regressed in 2014, but remains a dangerous weapon for an offense that could be very effective if quarterback Carson Palmer stays healthy.
As minor as the strain is, it does come with a level of concern, as Ellington has had an extensive injury history in the past. Ellington had knee, ankle and foot problems in college, and also missed the final four games of 2014 with a hip injury. At 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds, the workload of being a starter in the NFL could start to take its toll on the undersized Ellington.
If Ellington misses any time, the Cardinals will likely have a few running backs rotating in. Chris Johnson seems like the safest best to get the majority of carries, although he might not have much left in the tank at 29 years old coming off easily the worst season of his career.
Rookie David Johnson could be the most interesting Arizona running back to watch while Ellington recovers. After a very productive college career at Northern Iowa, Johnson looked strong at times during the preseason while flashing some big play ability that Ellington and Chris Johnson can lack.
While David Johnson only received one touch during Week 1, he made the most of it with a 55-yard receiving touchdown. If Johnson plays well over the next couple weeks, he could move up the depth chart for the rest of the season.
Arizona plays the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 and 3 respectively, both of which should be winnable games even without Ellington. The schedule gets difficult after that, so it be nice to have Ellington back at full capacity, even if the Cardinals do have some depth at the position.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle