Arizona Cardinals acquire additional help at running back
By Jim Koch
The acquisition of Zach Zenner has further replenished the Arizona Cardinals dwindling depth at the running back position
When Alfred Morris joined the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week, it appeared that the club had adequately addressed the injury situation at running back. With David Johnson and D.J. Foster both hobbled, head coach Kliff Kingsbury needed some insurance at the spot. Apparently, the Cards believed that Morris alone would not be enough to remedy the dilemma.
On Wednesday, Arizona’s front office added even more depth to the running back room by signing the rugged Zach Zenner. The decision to bring in not just one but two new ball-carriers to the mix may be an indication that both Johnson and Foster could miss time. Until the acquisitions of Morris and Zenner were made, the surging Chase Edmonds stood as the only healthy back on the Cardinals roster.
Zenner came to the desert just one day after he was sent packing by the New Orleans Saints. The fifth-year veteran totaled a mere two touches last Sunday against the Chicago Bears, his one and only game as a member of the Saints. Some believe that a dropped pass, coupled with the possible return this weekend by starter Alvin Kamara, may have contributed to Zenner’s release from “The Big Easy”.
It will be intriguing to see how, and if, Kingsbury incorporates Zenner into his “Air Raid” offense. An undrafted free agent of the Detroit Lions back in 2015, the 28-year old brings a bruising style with him to the Cards. Zenner attended South Dakota State University , where he rushed for over 2000 yards in three straight seasons (2012-14).
The 6’0, 222 pounder’s most productive performance with the Lions came during the 2016 campaign. In 14 appearances (four starts) that year, Zenner racked up 530 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. The Minnesota native’s career totals include 686 rushing yards, 269 receiving yards and eight scores in 37 NFL contests (six starts).
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Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that the next team on the schedule for Arizona is the Saints, the squad that just parted ways with Zenner this past Tuesday. There’s no doubt that Kingsbury and his staff are picking the brain of their latest pickup, finding out everything they can about their upcoming opponent. Any added information they can garner about a formidable foe like New Orleans could potentially increase their chances of pulling off an upset.