Arizona Cardinals add insurance for running back position
By Jim Koch
Injuries at the running back spot have prompted the Arizona Cardinals front office to add veteran Alfred Morris to the roster
It didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals coaching staff to realize that David Johnson wasn’t right this past Sunday. The banged-up running back gave it a go against the New York Giants, but his bum ankle just wouldn’t cooperate. We’ve since learned that Johnson’s situation may be worse than Kliff Kingsbury and company are letting on.
Tuesday’s signing of veteran runner Alfred Morris could be an indication that the injury-prone Johnson may miss more time. If that isn’t enough, the Cards are also dealing with another issue at the position. The squad’s number-three running back, D.J. Foster, is now day-to-day with a hamstring pull.
With Johnson hobbled this past weekend, second-stringer Chase Edmonds came to the rescue versus the Giants. Last year’s fourth-round draft pick rumbled through the New York defense for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Even so, the question marks surrounding Johnson and Foster forced Arizona’s front office to add some emergency insurance to the locker room.
The Cardinals had actually worked out the 30-year old Morris back in September. Reports surfaced on Monday that the club had also scheduled tryouts for Jay Ajayi, Spencer Ware and Benny Cunningham. Apparently, Morris was the most impressive of the bunch.
A sixth-round selection of the Washington Redskins back in 2012, Morris has played for three other NFL franchises besides the Cards. The 5’10, 222 pounder stayed in the nation’s capital for four campaigns, and was voted to the Pro Bowl twice (2013-14). Following his stint with Washington, Morris spent two campaigns with the Dallas Cowboys (2016-17) and one with the San Francisco 49ers (2018).
Morris’ best performance as a pro came seven years ago, when he was a rookie with the Redskins. The Florida Atlantic product exploded onto the scene with 1,613 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. For his career, Morris has racked up 5,931 yards on the ground and 34 scores.
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For now, Arizona will continue to roll with the red-hot Edmonds. Having an explosive one-two punch in the backfield is a great luxury to have, so Kingsbury is obviously hoping that Johnson makes a speedy recovery. Until then, the Cardinals can lean on the experienced Morris to pick up the slack.