The Arizona Cardinals were not on offense last year. Why? Too many issues with the offensive line, top receivers hurt, and both of their starting running backs ended up on IR. It was ridiculous of the number of starting-caliber players Arizona had on IR.
Which is pretty sad.
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Starter James Conner signed an extension back in November of 2024 which keeps him on the roster in the 2026 season. Trey Benson will return at some point after undergoing arthroscopic surgery.
To be fair, will either of these running backs be the same guy before they became injured? Will any speed or cutting ability be lost? Do the Cardinals want either to return?
The Senior Bowl had numerous blue-chip running backs, including Penn State’s Nick Singleton. But Singleton had a setback. He broke his foot during Thursday’s Senior Bowl practice. He will undergo surgery early next week in Birmingham, Alabama. He suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Singleton was having a great week of practice and was projected as one of the top five running backs available in this year’s NFL Draft. During this past season, he broke both of former Penn State RB Saquon Barkley’s all-time football touchdown records.
His plan now is to go to the Combine and perform all the tests that NFL teams put athletes through, but he will not be able to participate in drills. The healing timeline is about four months.
Make no mistake, he is a very exceptional player, smart, and community-driven.
Before his injury, Revenge of the Birds staff writer Barry Shuck was able to interview Singleton.
RB Nate Singleton (6’-0”, 224 pounds)
Penn State
Projection: Round 3
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Shuck: You shared the backfield with Kaytron Allen this past year. What is it like knowing you aren’t going to be the main back each week?
Singleton: We felt we were the best duo in the nation. We had each other’s backs and were roommates. Those dynamics were really good throughout the whole year. We are always trying to pump each other up and show love for each other. It was always competition, but we were competing and helping each other.
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Shuck: You were the 2022 Gatorade National Player of the Year after rushing for 2,043 yards with 165 carries and 41 rushing touchdowns. You also maintained a 3.51 GPA. What’s that story, and how did you find out?
Singleton: I got a Zoom call from Saquon Barkley. I had already committed to Penn State. I thought we were just going to chill. But he said to me, “You know you are the National Gatorade Football Player of the Year? You know that?” And it took me by surprise, and it didn’t sink in. Then, the crowd behind started to cheer and clap, and I just busted out in a big smile and really didn’t know what to say. And all my friends and family are cheering me, then I was handed the trophy right there with Barkley still on Zoom. I still didn’t know what to say. It didn’t get any bigger than that in high school sports. And after Barkley congratulated me and asked me how I was feeling, I just muttered some words because I couldn’t speak and was very emotional.
Shuck: How is your pass protection?
Singleton: In practices we have many drills where we run and catch out of the backfield. But most of the time, we are doing blocking drills. If you are a running back at Penn State, you end up knowing how to be an excellent blocker. That makes you a complete back, keeping my hands inside and just doing the technique. There is a mental part and a physical part. You have to have both. Once you get that first hit out of the way, you will feel good about it and builds your confidence.
Shuck: How do you like to run?
Singleton: I can run any scheme: outside zone, gap scheme, inside zone, or mid-zone. I love it. But I do feel that if I get outside, no one can catch me. The mid-zone being patient, I can hit it either way through the “A” gap or the “B” gap and let your blocks develop. It doesn’t really matter.
Shuck: You and Kaytron ran behind 330-pound offensive guard Vega Ioane, who is projected as a mid-first-round draft pick. What was it like running behind him?
Singleton: He’s really good. Once you get in his way, he is going to run your ass over. We love Vega. He’s a big energy guy. Whoever gets him will be happy and will solve one offensive line problem.
Shuck: How would you describe your game?
Singleton: I am a complete back and a complete player. I have good hands and am willing to catch the ball. I am a great blocker. I can make tackles on special teams. I came to the Senior Bowl to showcase my physicality. I’m just blessed.
Shuck: Penn State fired its head coach during the season. How did that affect the remainder of the year?
Singleton: Everybody was down, but we all got together. We were all upset, but we still had games to play and pulled together as a team. We lost the next three games trying to find our identity, then we had a run of four wins.
Shuck: What will NFL coaches and scouts be saying about you when they leave the Senior Bowl?
Singleton: That I can do everything a good running back should be doing. But you have to stay humble and compete. My speed is my Number 1 gift from God. I stay in the weight room to help that increase. The biggest thing I need to work on is being patient and let each play develop on its own.
