Arizona Cardinals running on backup again

Reports are out that Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson will be out Sunday vs the New Orleans Saints

The official news from the team isn’t out yet but it is being reported that Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson will miss Sunday’s game at the New Orleans Saints.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out Saturday evening Johnson was unlikely to play.

The team has not made an announcement yet on his status.  Their last comment on the subject was on Friday when they listed him as questionable and a game-time decision.

This is the inevitable result though we saw coming.  The Cardinals are prepared for it this week.  They signed two running backs in Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner this week in anticipation Johnson may not be able to go.

This means Chase Edmonds would get the start.  Although he didn’t officially start last week as Johnson played 3 snaps against the New York Giants, Edmonds will get his second straight week in the spotlight.

Edmonds is coming off a 27-carry, 126-yard, 3 touchdown performance.  Duplicating that effort on Sunday against the Saints might prove to be a little more difficult.

The Saints have a better defense and now Edmonds has video out there of what he can do.  Of course it certainly would be a nice surprise if he could come close to duplicating his effort from a week ago.

The Cardinals aren’t the only ones hurting at running back either.  Actually hurting might not be the optimal word here.  The Saints are reportedly going to be without their starter Alvin Kamara on Sunday but have backup Latavius Murray to take the load.

Murray had almost as good a day against the Chicago Bears last week as Edmonds did against the Giants.  Murray rushed 27 times for 119-yards and 2 touchdowns last week.

It will be interesting to see how much the running game has an effect for both teams on Sunday.  Both teams also have injuries in the receiving game as well.  The Cardinals could be without receiver Christian Kirk again and the Saints will be without receiver Tre’Quan Smith and tight end Jared Cook.