Feeling Prophetic When it Comes to Cardinals RB Beanie Wells
By Scott Allen
Sept. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jason Babin (93) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
From the not-so-shocking-news of the day, Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells was injured enough to warrant a trip to the Injured Reserve with the designation of returning. It will be the Cards one and only player that can be designated to do so. He is out until at least November 25th, a home game against the St. Louis Rams. However, don’t stop me when I say I told you so when eventually a injury would be sever enough to miss this amount of time when it comes to Wells. It’s what he’s known for.
When the Cards were considering drafting him back in 2009, I said be careful. The knock was he was prone to injury. Yes, I get the argument that he “missed” just three games at Ohio State. However he was always showing up as a concern to possibly miss a game here and there. Yes, he has the toughness that got him into most college games. It’s what kept him on the field last season. If running back Ryan Williams hadn’t been out for the season last year, I feel like Wells would have missed more than the two games he sat out last season. However, when he knows he doesn’t have to be “the guy”, when his team knows it, then Wells will more times than not, sit.
Wells has always had some kind of injury dogging him from week to week since 2009. Rarely does his name not pop-up on the injured list. When he came down with Turf Toe, it was an easy decision to put him on IR w/ the newly created designation of being able to return. I think the Cards would have waited a week or two to see how things play out before making any kind of huge decision like this had the new designation not been available.
Williams is the guy now. His production probably also contributed to the decision. The fact is Wells may never be healthy enough to carry a team. In fact, I’d bank on it. I thought maybe he broke out of some stereotype with his performances last season but in fact it was just a mirage. Wells is who he is. We should never expect anything more from Wells for the rest of his career. There will be two things certain for the rest of his career. He will be on the injured list more times than not and he will not be “the guy” again. At least not for the Arizona Cardinals. That designation belongs to Williams.