Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall Named Starting Running Back

Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals have depth at running back, but it has always been fairly clear that Rashard Mendenhall is going to start.

According to FanSided, Mendenhall was named the starting running back. Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington were drafted and Ryan Williams is still on the team, but Mendenhall, who was obtained from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, has proven to be the best option.

Mendenhall played very infrequently in 2012, and he’s been hampered by injuries. However, he has accumulated 1,000 or more rushing yards in two seasons, and he accumulated 928 rushing yards in 2011. The Cardinals’ running backs accumulated the least rushing yards in the NFL last season, so Mendenhall should be an immediate upgrade.

Mendenhall has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over the course of his NFL career.