Listed as ‘other’ running back on depth chart, Cardinals’ Andre Ellington shines in win

Sep 16, 2013, 6:04 AM | Updated: 6:05 am

Other.

On the Arizona Cardinals’ depth chart going into Sunday’s home opener against the Detroit Lions, rookie running back Andre Ellington and Ryan Williams were listed as “other” behind Rashard Mendenhall, Alfonso Smith and Stepfan Taylor.

For the 5-foot-9 Ellington, the distinction doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

The only real noteworthy play from his NFL debut last Sunday came on a miscommunication between he and quarterback Carson Palmer during a critical third down situation in the fourth quarter of the team’s 27-24 loss to the Rams.

So color the Lions’ defense surprised that in Sunday’s contest, it was Ellington, the tailback who played in only eight of Arizona’s 71 snaps last week, that ignited a rather sluggish offense.

The sixth-round pick out of Clemson had two catches for a team-high 42 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter on a play similar to the one run during his communication gaffe with Palmer in St. Louis.

“My first touchdown, I’m never going to forget that one,” said Ellington. “I’m just thankful coach called on me in that time and that I made a play.”

Ellington’s first career score was also the Cardinals’ first passing touchdown at home since Week 4 of the 2012 season.

“We kind of snuck one on them at the time,” said Ellington. “It was a great call by Coach Bruce Arians. A perfect call actually and it worked to perfection.”

While the rookie’s big catch brought some life to the offense in the first half, he wasn’t done there.

With a little less than five minutes to play, the Cardinals trailed 21-19 but had the ball at their own 39-yard line.

On the first play of the drive, Ellington took a carry and bounced it out to the right of the line. Sixteen yards later, the “other” back found himself inside the Lions’ 45-yard line. Seven plays after Ellington’s long dash, fellow running back Rashard Mendenhall plowed his way into the end zone for the eventual game-winning touchdown.

“My goal is to do what I’m coached [to do], to go out there and make a play,” said Ellington. “Trust the guys that are blocking for me will get the job done. I can handle the rest.”

He certainly handled the rest Sunday, amassing 62 yards and making a case to move up in the depth chart ahead of the team’s Week 3 showdown with the New Orleans Saints.

Yet when asked about it after the game, Ellington said he’s prepared to play regardless of where his name may be listed on a piece of paper.

“I’m not sure how that works,” said Ellington. “We don’t have a set depth chart. Coach [Arians] calls you out there when he wants you out there. You just have to be ready.”

Arizona Cardinals fans hold a sign in memory of the victims of Friday's Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings during the first half of an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt makes a call against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) gains yards as Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) breaks the tackle of Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals tight end Jeff King (87) breaks the tackle of Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) tries to escape the tackle of Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive end David Carter (79) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) cannot pull in a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) makes an interception as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) looks to gain yardage as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett (90) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley(14) celebrates a running touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) makes an interception to set up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Rashad Johnson (49) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half in an NFL football game on Sunday Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson, left, intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson, right, during the first half in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) throws against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) breaks a tackle by Arizona Cardinals cornerback William Gay (22) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) pulls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson defends during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) stiff-arms Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals' Greg Toler (28) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions as teammate Kerry Rhodes (25) follows during the second half in an NFL football game on Sunday Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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