Cardinals RB Keaontay Ingram excited to prove himself on the field

The Arizona Cardinals drafted USC running back Keaontay Ingram in the sixth round after the departure of Chase Edmonds.

He will join a group consisting of James Conner, Eno Benjamin and Jonathon Ward. The battle for Conner’s backup is still completely up in the air.

Ingram said he is overwhelmed but ready to prove himself. He wants to show that the running back position is still the engine of the team.

“Being a running back, I feel the disrespect,” Ingram told reporters on Thursday.

“I just want to go out there and prove running backs can still be a valuable part of the offense and can be the engine of the offense if it needs to be.”

Ingram mentioned how he is excited to play special teams because he gets to get some action right away. He said that he can get on the field and start growing from there.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he is excited to have Ingram add to the special teams unit and bring energy and toughness to a group that requires it.

“The work ethic, the character and all those things. He just checks all the boxes and can play special teams,” Kingsbury told reporters on Friday.

“He’s a big physical back and we just felt like he could fit what we do with that role that can be your third or fourth guy, still play special teams and come in and play at a high level on offense as well.”

Ingram will have a chance to show off his engine on special teams and in brief roles when Conner is out.