Arizona Cardinals sign RB Darrel Williams to 1-year deal, release RB Jaylen Samuels
May 31, 2022, 3:42 PM | Updated: 4:02 pm
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams carries the ball up field during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The Arizona Cardinals signed running back Darrel Williams to a one-year deal and released running back Jaylen Samuels, the team announced on Tuesday.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, who confirmed the deal last Tuesday, adds that the deal is worth the veteran minimum.
Williams had reportedly visited the team back in April and is entering his fifth NFL season after spending the last four with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Over 17 games (seven starts) last year, the 5-foot-11, 219-pounder ran the rock 144 times for 558 yards and six touchdowns, all career highs. He also set career marks in catches (47), receiving yards (452) and receiving touchdowns (two).
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In 51 career games played, Williams has rushed 237 times for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s caught 83 of his 103 targets for 762 yards and four touchdowns.
Samuels, 25, served as James Conner’s backup for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2018-21 before getting released in October. The running back then joined the Houston Texans’ practice squad in before eventually signing a reserve/futures contract with the Cardinals in January.
With former Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds now a Miami Dolphin, Arizona was in need of a proven pass-catching back to pair with starter Conner.
Behind Conner and Williams, the Cardinals running backs room features Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward and rookie Keaontay Ingram. Arizona also has running backs, Ronnie Rivers and T.J. Pledger on the roster.
Of those not named Conner, Benjamin has seen the most work in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, rushing for 118 yards and a score on 34 carries.
Ward has just nine carries for 33 yards but does have a receiving touchdown to go along with three catches and 34 receiving yards.
Ingram joins the team after racking up 911 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a senior at USC last season. He added 156 receiving yards on 22 catches.
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