Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall to start vs. Cowboys

Aug 13, 2013, 9:57 PM | Updated: Aug 14, 2013, 3:23 am

Arizona Sports

Offseason running back acquisition Rashard Mendenhall, who sat out of his new team’s first preseason game versus the Green Bay Packers with patella tendinitis, is expected to start Saturday for the Arizona Cardinals in their game against the Dallas Cowboys at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Mendenhall came to the Cardinals via free agency in March, after spending five previous seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For three straight seasons prior to the 2012-13 season, Mendenhall averaged more than 1,000 yards rushing per season.

Last season, the 26-year-old Illinois Illini product played in just six games for the Steelers, tallying 182 yards over 51 carries.

In Mendenhall’s stead Friday, rookie Stepfan Taylor tread 64 yards on 20 carries, while Alfonso Smith went 21 yards on 12 touches.

“They did a great job last week and I think we did a great job as an offense and as a team,” Mendenhall said Tuesday.

“It’s cool to see that and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Running back Stepfan Taylor takes a hit from defensive lineman David Carter during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Kerry Taylor tries to make a grab during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Drew Stanton receives a snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Drew Stanton throws a pass to tight end D.C. Jefferson during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Cardinals specialists talk during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Andre Roberts and quarterback Carson Palmer chat during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Linebacker Alex Okafor rushes the passer during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Members of the offensive line wait during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Tight end Rob Housler makes a catch over cornerback Jerraud Powers during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald goes up in traffic during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Ryan Lindley surveys the field during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Carson Palmer and running back Rashard Mendenhall wait during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Tight end Rob Housler makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass to receiver Jaron Brown during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Cornerback Patrick Peterson lines up during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Tight end Rob Housler turns and runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Charles Hawkins makes a catch in the corner of the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Ryan Lindley lets a throw go while defensive end John Abraham watches during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald watches during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Tight end Alex Gottlieb makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald reaches for the pylon during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Lineman Joe Caprioglio battles with defensive tackle Padric Scott during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Offensive lineman Deveric Gallington runs through a drill during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Tight end Rob Housler makes a touchdown catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Playing on offense, Patrick Peterson runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald tries for the one-hand catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Lineman Daryn Colledge is in between drills during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Jay Feely kicks a field goal during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Head coach Bruce Arians is in the background while receiver Larry Fitzgerald is in the foreground during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Nicholas Edwards makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive lineman Darnell Dockett and guard Jonathan Cooper battle during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Linemen Daryn Colledge, Eric Winston and Joe Caprioglio run through a drill during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald dives into the end zone during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Guard Daryn Colledge leads the way for Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians share a conversation during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Defensive end John Abraham prepares for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp Monday, Aug. 12, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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