Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams will miss the entire season with a ruptured right patella tendon, Coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed in a Saturday press conference.

Williams was injured in the Cardinals’ 28-20 loss to the reigning Superbowl champion Green Bay Packers. He was hit from behind and looked to fall awkwardly on his right knee. Williams was carted off the field and looked to be in a great deal of pain.

A ruptured patella tendon requires surgery to fix and extensive rehabilitation. Williams is estimated to be ready for the beginning of the Cardinals’ 2012 training camp.

Williams absence leaves a hole in the Cardinals run game, as he was expected to work with Beanie Wells this year as a tandem. Former Cardinals running back Tim Hightower was traded to the Washington Redskins to clear a place for Williams.

Whisenhunt did not say who the Cardinals had in mind to replace Williams, but he did say the selection of a replacement would be a process.

If the Cardinals went for a veteran back, he would have to be content with a lesser roll, Whisenhunt said.

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