Rashard Mendenhall returned to practice on Monday and Ryan Williams (knee) is still listed as day-to-day. The Cardinals won't be adding extra running back depth at this time.
Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams still low-end fantasy backs, Cardinals not expected to add depth
The Cardinals are not expected to add more running backs. We break down the running back position for the Cardinals for fantasy purposes.
The Cardinals only have Alfonso Smith and rookie Stefan Taylor behind their two oft-injured backs. Williams played in just five games while Mendenhall suited up only six times for the Steelers in 2012.
Fantasy Impact: The Cardinals have one of the most troublesome situations in their backfield. The two players atop their depth chart have been hamstrung by multiple knee injuries headlined by Mendenhall’s torn ACL in January 2012 and Williams’ torn patellar tendon in the preseason of 2011.
Mendenhall is expected to remain the starter, but coach Bruce Arians has said he likes Williams as a runner. The Cardinals don't exactly have a formidable rushing attack, ranking dead last in rushing yards and yards per carry in the NFL. The bottom line is that the upside won't be that high on either player, so it might be a better idea to grab an elite handcuff like Bernard Pierce instead of either player with major injury red flags.
