Running back picture becoming clear for Arizona Cardinals

The running backs portion of the Arizona Cardinals 2018 depth chart is rounding into form after three exhibition contests

At least one segment of the Arizona Cardinals 2018 roster appeared to work itself out this past Sunday night. A couple of scintillating performances, along with an unfortunate, season-ending injury, have seemingly rounded the squad’s running backs depth chart into shape. Any decisions concerning this portion of the team have quite possibly been made already by the Cards’ front office.

The running game was just one of the positives that came out of Arizona’s 27-3 dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys this past weekend. While starter David Johnson watched from the sidelines, two of the club’s young ball-carriers laid claim to the backup spots. The duo has zero regular-season game experience on their resumes, but that fact seemed to matter very little against the Cowboys.

Rookie Chase Edmonds started the contest, and proceeded to prove himself worthy of being the top reserve for Johnson. The fourth-round draft pick out of Fordham University sliced through the Dallas defense like a hot knife through butter. Edmonds finished with 55 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging a solid five yards per tote.

Second-year player T.J. Logan was even more impressive. Last year’s fifth-round pick, who missed all of 2017 with a wrist injury, got the Cardinals’ sideline jumping with a 59-yard touchdown jaunt. Logan tallied 86 yards on just six runs, averaging a whopping 14.3 yards per carry.

The matchup versus the Cowboys didn’t go as well for another Cards’ runner, however. While covering a kickoff, veteran D.J. Foster slumped to the ground, grasping his knee. An MRI revealed a torn ACL and MCL, meaning the former Arizona State Sun Devil’s 2018 campaign is over before it began.

Former head coach Bruce Arians refused to implement a fullback into his high-flying offense. But new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has brought the position back to the desert. Free agent acquisition Derrick Coleman will be the top blocking back, while converted halfback Elijhaa Penny should also be in the mix.

So there you have it. Arizona’s running back room for the upcoming season appears to be set. Johnson will resume his workhorse role, but there are talented, young options behind him as well.