Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians: Ryan Williams ‘needs to start playing’

Aug 20, 2013, 3:26 AM | Updated: 3:27 am
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GLENDALE, Ariz. – At this point, it’s actually quite simple for Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams.

He needs to get on the field, and the sooner the better.

A second-round pick of the team’s in 2011, Williams has battled injuries pretty much from the get-go. His latest ailment, a right knee injury, has caused him to miss practices over the last few weeks as well as both of the team’s preseason games.

And unfortunately, it does not sound like he’ll be making his preseason debut when the Cardinals take the field Saturday against the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Williams, who has rushed for just 164 yards on 58 career carries, has not played enough to show enough, and it may cost him a roster spot. The team selected running backs Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington in the 2013 NFL Draft to go along with Rashard Mendenhall and Alfonso Smith, so it is not as if the team has no depth behind the former Virginia Tech star.

So for Williams, being out of action while the team’s other four options are on the field making plays is not a good way to impress a new coaching staff.

“He needs to start playing,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday. “I can’t evaluate him unless he plays.”

Playing has been an issue that has dogged Williams since his rookie year, when a ruptured patella tendon suffered in the preseason opener caused him to miss the entire campaign. Then, finally healthy last year, he played in just five games before breaking his collarbone Week 5 against the St. Louis Rams.

Arians noted that he cannot say if Williams’ problems are more mental than physical right now, saying, “He’s the only one that can answer that,” but that right now the only thing Williams can do is a little running along with work on the stationary bike.

“You can’t get these reps back,” Arians lamented. “He had an excellent OTAs; he started out with an excellent camp; was cutting, running.

“And then just put the breaks on.”

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald begins his route as Javier Arenas defends during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Stepfan Taylor runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor can't reach an over-thrown pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Patrick Peterson runs with the ball while Javier Arenas trails and a penalty flag is on the ground during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer directs the offense during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington finds the Carson Palmer pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a reception as Javier Arenas defends during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer received the snap while running back Andre Ellington stands next to him during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Ryan Williams (back) watches with receiver Larry Fitzgerald during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Rashard Mendenhall catches a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The Cardinals prepare to snap the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Offensive lineman Eric Winston prepares to block while linebacker Zack Nash applies pressure during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley rolls out during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor makes a catch in fron of Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end D.C. Jefferson makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith leaps to make a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Charles Hawkins leaps to make a catch in front of Ronnie Yell during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Jim Dray makes a reception during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin shows his team the play during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linemen Levi Brown (75) and Jonathan Cooper (61) prepare for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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