Beanie Wells Injury Update: Cardinals RB Surprises By Returning To Practice

In a bit of surprising news, Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells returned to practice on Thursday in a limited fashion. Wells left Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with what was eventually diagnosed as a bone bruise and was initially expected to miss a week or two. The injury was on the same knee he had surgery on last year.

Adam Schefter also reported that Wells felt he would be able to play this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and Ken Whisenhunt expects some additional practice for him on Friday. This is positive momentum for Wells, but given the opponent and the quick turnaround with the injury, Wells is a questionable start at best this Sunday. If he is active you probably do start him, but you should also be operating under the assumption that he could aggravate the injury or potentially lose some carries even if healthy.

For those who picked up Alfonso Smith and/or LaRod Stephens-Howling, hang on to them through the weekend. Wells likely will end up as a game-time decision, which means you still might have some value from either of them. At the same time, facing what should be an angry Baltimore Ravens team, this might not be the best matchup for any of the Cardinals running backs. Maurice Jones-Drew had success against Baltimore, but I would not hold out hope for sustained success by the Cardinals in Baltimore.