Again, Arizona Cardinals RB Adrian Peterson misses practice
Dec 6, 2017, 2:42 PM | Updated: Dec 7, 2017, 10:19 pm
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
(AP Photo/Ben Margot)
TEMPE, Ariz. – Adrian Peterson remains sidelined.
The Arizona Cardinals’ starting running back did not practice on Wednesday. His absence marked the fourth straight practice missed since he hurt his neck in the Jacksonville game on Nov. 26.
The injury prevented him from playing against the L.A. Rams last week and puts in question his availability against Tennessee this week.
“It’s really just time; the doctors and time,” head coach Bruce Arians said.
Without Peterson, the Cardinals rushed for 118 yards in Sunday’s 32-16 loss to the Rams. It was their highest total in four games and third-best effort on the ground overall in 2017.
Backup Kerwynn Williams accounted for most of that rushing total.
Starting for the second time this season, Williams nearly recorded the second 100-yard rushing game of his career. He finished with 96 yards on 16 carries, and did so despite playing with cracked ribs that he suffered the week prior.
“Kerwynn is fine. He practiced full today,” Arians said. “Kerwynn is like The Energizer Bunny, he never slows down.”
Rushing the football won’t be easy against the Titans.
Under long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau — this is his 43rd season as an NFL assistant — Tennessee ranks No. 3 in stopping the run. They allow an average of 86.2 yards per game.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, even with their performance last week, sit dead last in the run-game with 76.6 yards per game.
The team could very much be looking at another week of running back-by-committee with Williams, Elijhaa Penny and D.J. Foster.
“The great thing about our backs is everybody brings kind of a different flavor to the game,” quarterback Blaine Gabbert said. “Having Penny, D.J. Foster, Kerwynn, A.D., all those guys are all great running backs in their own right.”
