Texans claim former Cardinals RB Andre Ellington off waivers
Nov 22, 2017, 8:35 AM | Updated: 11:22 am
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) carries teh ball as Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
A healthy Andre Ellington didn’t dress for the Cardinals on Sunday against the Texans, and a day after being released by Arizona, it turns out he’ll be suiting up for Houston moving forward.
The Texans picked up the versatile fifth-year running back off waivers to add depth to a backfield that lost one of its two regular running backs.
D’Onta Foreman suffered a ruptured Achilles on Sunday when he broke out for a 34-yard touchdown run but tripped into the end zone after suffering the injury. The rookie ended the year with 327 rushing yards and 83 receiving yards.
Ellington joins a backfield that includes Lamar Miller and Alfred Blue.
The Cardinals’ sixth-round pick from the 2013 draft compiled 297 receiving yards and 53 rushing yards in eight games of 2017 so far while acting primarily as Arizona’s third-down back in passing situations.
Ellington’s best seasons came in his first two years with Arizona. He rushed for at least 650 yards and caught more than 370 yards in each of his first two seasons in the NFL but has struggled with injuries since.
Arizona listed Ellington as a scratch on Sunday and moving forward will give second-year running back D.J. Foster more opportunities.
