Arians not worried Ellington will miss significant time
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Saturday that he is not concerned about the possibility of running back Andre Ellington's foot injury sidelining him long term.
"Not at all," Arians said.
A bit of gamesmanship? Perhaps.
Ellington was listed as limited in Saturday's practice and is officially questionable for Monday night's season opener against the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium. The portion of Saturday's practice where he would have participated on offense was not open to the media.
Arians said both Ellington and safety Tyrann Mathieu will be game-time decisions Monday, although Mathieu's participation seems doubtful.
"It's one of those things where every day when you wake up it could be different," Arians said of Ellington's injury.
Ellington re-aggravated an existing injury in Thursday's practice and underwent an MRI afterward. He sat out Friday's practice.
FOX Sports Jay Glazer reported that it was a muscle injury that would not require surgery, but would take rest and an unspecified amount of time to heal. The Cardinals have not divulged the resuts of the MRI.
When asked how Ellington moved in Saturday's practice, Arians kept his answer short.
"Good," he said. "For him, everything's good."
Jonathan Dwyer and Stepfan Taylor would be the first two backs up as possible replacements. Dwyer has started just six of 36 NFL games and has gained 971 yards on 230 carries, a 4.2-yard average. Taylor is in his second year, having been drafted the same year as Ellington out of Stanford. Robert Hughes could also be in line for more touches.
Ellington is expected to be a major part of the Cardinals offense this season. Without him, the offense would seemingly be significantly altered, but Arians said Saturday there would be no major changes.
"Even if Andre goes, everybody's already got their role and there are certain packages for each one of them," he said. "That won't change whatsoever."
BISHOP RELEASED
The Cardinals released inside linebacker Desmond Bishop on Saturday. Bishop was signed on Aug. 14 and made the cut to the team's 53-man roster despite just two weeks to impress the coaching staff.
But Arians and GM Steve Keim have said repeatedly they will keep turning over the bottom of the roster. Bishop spent the first six years of his career in Green Bay and last season with Minnesota, but injuries sidelined him each of the past two seasons.