The Arizona Cardinals went into training camp with one position group that was deemed to be no problem: the running back room.
And now?
RELATED: LOVE’S INJURY STATUS
Against the Dallas Cowboys, a 33-30 victory on the road, the only healthy running back that remained on the roster during the game was veteran Tyler Allgeier. This ended up being a good thing because he balled out for 147 yards, scored two touchdowns, and was a key component of the win.
Rookie Jeremiyah Love was deemed ready to play, but
re-injured an ankle. Bam Morris, the game’s RB3, took a solid hit to the helmet from Cowboys LB DeMarvion Overshown and had to leave the game. Morris fumbled on the play with 21 seconds remaining in the first half. Dallas then drove into field goal range, but their kicker hooked it right.
Neither running back returned to the game. This forced every carry onto the shoulders of Allgeier. In the game, he scored on a 63-yard run with :57 left in the third quarter, and on his next carry reeled off a 52-yarder. Which is all well and good, but after a long run like this, usually, the running back goes to the sideline and rests for a few plays.
Not in this game. Allgeier stepped right back into the huddle. The next play called was Allgeier up the middle for four yards. So much for a well-deserved break.
The team’s best asset
So, what now? Surely, the Cardinals can’t go into every contest with a single running back.
In training camp, the position group was viewed as a stacked room full of really good talent. There were suggestions and rumors that perhaps Arizona should trade a guy.
James Conner was thought to be close to being ready to come back to the practice field. Same for Trey Benson. Bam Knight was re-signed in March from last year’s roster to a one-year deal. Corey Kiner was still under contract. Then, GM Monti Ossenfort selected Love with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Allgeier was one of the “splash” moves in free agency. He was seen as the new starting running back after several successful seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before Love was drafted. In August, the team was awarded Evan Hull off waivers from the Houston Texans, and he played well in preseason. Tre Stewart was signed in mid-August.
The running back room was bursting with players and talent. Love, Allgeier, Conner, and Benson were viewed as a spectacular display of talent. Knight would most likely become a kickoff returner.
Kiner was traded to the New England Patriots. Stewart was a last-day cut from training camp. Conner was placed on IR. Hull was signed to the practice squad. Benson was waived, then reverted to the team after he cleared waivers and was placed on the IR/injury list.
So, the Cardinals began the season with Love as the starter, Allgeier as his backup, and Knight as RB3, with Hull on the practice squad. Meanwhile, the team kept a close eye on Conner’s recovery and hoped that one day he could return. With Love always a question mark, the coaches brought up Hull as insurance, but against Dallas, he was listed as inactive. Apparently, nobody consulted their crystal ball first.
The injury front
And now?
Knight has a concussion, which is good news. The bad side is that this is usually 10 days before the player is reactivated. So, against the Seattle Seahawks, Knight won’t be available.
Now Love? All of us know he has had ankle issues since getting hurt in a preseason game. Since that time, he has injured both ankles. Against the Cowboys, Love suffered a new injury: a higher ankle sprain. Several media outlets are suggesting that, because Love keeps getting hurt with the same type of injury, the Cardinals should just shut him down, place him on IR, and allow him time to completely heal for next year.
That leaves Allgeier and Hull to play out the schedule.
This same scenario happened last year. All of the good starting backs became injured, and the team crawled their way towards the end of the schedule with practice squad running backs.
Isn’t that what Arizona is dangerously close to becoming? If Allgeier becomes injured, the team’s run game will lie solely on Hull, a practice squad guy. Attrition happens to every team and is the resident evil during the back half of every NFL season.
What should be done?
For one, already on the Cardinals’ practice squad is veteran Jerome Ford, age 27. Elevate him now.
Ford (5’-10”, 210 pounds) was a fifth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2022. This was the time frame when Cleveland had both Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson. Ford made the final roster and returned kickoffs.
The next season, Chubb sustained a horrible knee injury, and Ford split carries with Hunt and had a career-high 813 yards on 204 carries with four TDs. He played four seasons with the Browns, so he has experience. During his career, he had 107 receptions for 647 yards, so he has been involved in the short passing game.
That will give Arizona Allgeier, Ford as his backup, and Hull at RB3.
Any other options?
Veteran Cam Akers remains unsigned and would be a good backup. He has played in 59 NFL games with 17 starts. Cardinals fans will remember him from the Los Angeles Rams. Trayveon Williams was a sixth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019 and played 75 games in seven years.
Or maybe Ossenfort can scour every team’s practice squad and find a healthy body. Almost every team has a minimum of one running back. Several teams have numerous RBs.
Listed on other teams’ practice squads:
- Frank Gore, Jr. – Bills
- Jaleel McLaughlin – Browns
- Israel Abanikanda – Cowboys
- Dameon Pierce – Eagles
- Cash Jones – Falcons
