Raising Zona
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Arizona Cardinals’ running back situation appears settled

By Jim Koch

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 19: Running back Kerwynn Williams SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 19: Running back Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers during preseason at Qualcomm Stadium on August 19, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 19-3. (Photo by Stephen DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini #65 of the Arizona Cardinals is helped off the field after sustaining an apparent injury against the Denver Broncos during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images))
SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 19: Running back Kerwynn Williams SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 19: Running back Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers during preseason at Qualcomm Stadium on August 19, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 19-3. (Photo by Stephen DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Defensive tackle Pasoni Tasini #65 of the Arizona Cardinals is helped off the field after sustaining an apparent injury against the Denver Broncos during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)) /
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After some offseason depth chart shuffling, the Arizona Cardinals’ running backs situation now appears to have been settled

Throughout this offseason, the only sure thing about the Arizona Cardinals’ running game has been David Johnson. The depth chart behind the team’s superstar has been the equivalent of a game of musical chairs, with no clear number-two back decided upon. But with final cuts being made this weekend, the picture has become much more vivid.

Fourth-year Cardinal Kerwynn Williams appears to have finally seized control of the number-two gig. The role wasn’t just handed to him, not by a longshot. The smoke has cleared however, and the 5’8″, 198 pounder has emerged as the choice.

Entering the offseason, Williams was the clear second fiddle to Johnson. Chris Johnson, the team’s backup last season, was an unrestricted free agent who was injured for most of 2016. Another free agent, Andre Ellington, was brought back to the nest but jettisoned to the wide receiver room.

Fast forward to a few months later and things had changed. The Ellington-to-wide receiver experiment had failed, and the club’s former starting runner returned to his natural position. T.J. Logan was added during the sixth-round of the NFL Draft, and Chris Johnson returned to the Cardinals in July.

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Suddenly, Williams was no longer even guaranteed a roster spot. Besides the four backs already mentioned another, Elijhaa Penny, was also in the picture. Williams, as usual, would once again have to prove to Arizona that he is worth keeping around.

But then, a stroke of bad luck for Logan actually guaranteed Williams a spot on the 2017 Cards. The rookie, who was handed kickoff and punt return duties, suffered a wrist injury during the Hall of Fame game against the Dallas Cowboys. The incident opened a door for Williams as Logan’s replacement on the special teams unit.

Another door opened for the former seventh-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts when final cuts came down. With the somewhat surprising release of Chris Johnson came the announcement that Williams is back to his number-two role. He, not Ellington or Penny, will be the one to spell David Johnson on the rare occasion that the Cardinals’ workhorse leaves the field for a breather.

So finally, the Cards’ running back situation appears to be in order. With the exorbitant amount of touches that David Johnson receives, who the backups are or what order they’re placed in may not be of utmost importance. Keeping Johnson healthy is.

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