Andre Ellington has PCL sprain, not ruled out for Week 2 in Chicago

Sep 14, 2015, 11:13 AM | Updated: 1:06 pm

Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) is hit by New Orleans Saints defensive back Delvin Breaux (40) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ADAM GREEN

Arizona Sports

When Andre Ellington went to the ground without contact in the fourth quarter of the Arizona Cardinals’ 31-19 win over the New Orleans Saints Sunday, it was natural to fear the worst. After all, many of the NFL’s worst injuries — ACLs, Achilles tendons, etc. — occur under those circumstances.

It appears that is not the case here, however.

“Andre has a mild sprained PCL, there’s no timetable because it is so individual, it could be a week, it could be three weeks,” head coach Bruce Arians said Monday. “He’s a very tough guy, we know that. Last year he played with a lot worse. It actually happened on the play before when he slammed his knee into the ground. Then when he went to make the cut he knew it wasn’t right.”

Arians said he won’t rule him out for the game in Chicago just yet.

If Ellington is not able to go Sunday in Chicago, Chris Johnson would get the start.

The sprain was first reported earlier Monday by ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Source: Cardinals RB Andre Ellington has a Grade 1 PCL Sprain. Estimated return to play 2 to 3 weeks.

— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 14, 2015

After the game, Arians said the team thought it was a PCL injury and that Ellington himself said he was feeling pretty good. Then, Monday morning, before the running back underwent an MRI, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM the team was optimistic it would not be a bad injury.

After the game in Chicago, the Cardinals host a pair of division opponents — the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams.

Ellington ran for 69 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries before leaving the game Sunday. He also caught one pass for seven yards.

Johnson ran for 37 yards on 10 carries Sunday.

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Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Earl Watford (78) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tripped up by New Orleans Saints free safety Rafael Bush (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) gains yards as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New Orleans Saints fullback Austin Johnson (35) is knocked out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) runs as New Orleans Saints free safety Rafael Bush (25) pursue during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (16) dives in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) tries to jump over teammate Darren Fells (85) as Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws over Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cory Redding (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) celebrates his running touchdown with teammate Jonathan Cooper (61) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New Orleans Saints kicker Zach Hocker (2) kicks a field goal as Luke McCown (7) holds during the first half of an NFL football game as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians yells to the official during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Rashad Johnson (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) is hit by New Orleans Saints defensive back Delvin Breaux (40) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate Michael Floyd (15) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals fans watch warm up's prior to an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) celebrates a stop as New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) gets up during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is hit after the catch by New Orleans Saints defensive back Brandon Browner (39) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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