ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals coach says Andre Ellington is ‘a game-time decision’ for Philadelphia

Nov 29, 2013, 8:15 PM | Updated: 8:15 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. — It came as a bit of a shock when Andre Ellington’s name appeared on Thursday’s injury report for the Arizona Cardinals.

Coach Bruce Arians said the rookie “tweaked” his left knee near the end of practice Thursday and is a “game-time decision” after missing practice Friday.

Arians said Ellington’s injury isn’t serious, but “we want to be careful with him.”

Ellington said he hurt the knee when he turned to make a cut toward the end of Thursday’s practice, but noted he feels better Friday than he did the day before.

“I’m good to go,” he said.

Granted, that kind of goes against what Arians said, but Ellington is banking on the next couple of days giving him enough time to heal.

“That’s a lot of rest, two days,” he said. “I’m going to continue to rehab and get to Sunday and kind of get out there and run around a little bit.”

A sixth-round pick out of Clemson last April, Ellington has emerged as one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers. A running back, he has gained 441 yards on just 73 carries and caught 28 passes for 247 yards. He’s scored three total touchdowns.

Should Ellington miss the game, Rashard Mendenhall and Stepfan Taylor would figure to pick up the slack, with Alfonso Smith also being in the mix for some additional work.

“Just one guy out,” Arians said of the blow that would be not having Ellington. “There’s still a bunch of guys who are capable of taking his place, and we’ll make our adjustments that we need to make.”

The coach, though, admitted there are about five or six plays that would have to be removed from the game plan if Ellington is unable to go because no one else on the team can do them.

“Other than that, just keep on rolling.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

22 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals coach says Andre Ellington is ‘a game-time decision’ for Philadelphia