When Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Saturday that he saw what he needed from his starting running back, who injured his left foot late last week, he meant it.
It was after Saturday's practice that Arians believed Andre Ellington could play Monday night against the San Diego Chargers. After a brief pregame workout, Ellington suited up and carried 13 times for 53 yards and caught all five of his intended passes for 27 yards in the Cardinals' 18-17 win.
Even with 18 touches, however, Ellington wasn't himself and he could tell he wasn't 100 percent.
"I wasn't full speed," he said. "My quickness, I had some quickness going from right to left, but it was a little harder going from left to right."
All things considered, Ellington still had 18 touches and performed pretty well. The concerning news is will the foot heal this season or will it be something that plagues him every time he takes the field. Defenses will eventually adjust to the discomfort he apparently has going from left to right. What once looked like a potential monster season may need to be toned down a bit.
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