The struggling Arizona Cardinals' running game didn't get great news on Tuesday.
Coach Bruce Arians told SiriusXM NFL's Late Hits with Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt that Andre Ellington's hip-pointer injury is "severe" and he probably wont practice this week, per Marvez.
The hope is that Ellington will heal enough by Sunday, but the dynamic back is shaping up as a game-day decision. The running back left the Week 13 loss to the Falcons early and did not return.
One of the big concerns about the shifty Ellington entering the season as the workhorse back was whether his slighter frame would hold up with a heavier workload. The 25-year-old back has dealt with a foot injury all season that has sapped some of his explosiveness, but he has yet to miss a full game.
Through 12 games, Ellington has 660 yards on 201 carries, for a disappointing 3.3 yards per carry average and hasn't averaged more than 2.4 YPC in the past four weeks.
If Ellington can't go, the Cards will roll with a combination of Marion Grice, Stepfan Taylor, Michael Bush and Robert Hughes behind quarterback Drew Stanton.
Here are some other injuries we are tracking Wednesday:
- Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (hand) missed practice after suffering a bone fracture on his middle finger last week. Carolina tight end Greg Olsen was also not seen at practice.
- New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (ankle) missed practice.
- C.J. Spiller (collarbone) returned to the practice field and was seen doing individual drills on the sidelines. The Bills running back remains on injured reserve-designated to return list and can't hit the playing field for a few weeks, but getting Spiller back to practice this week is a good sign for down the road.
- Colts corner Vontae Davismissed practice and remains in concussion protocol. If the tough defender isn't cleared by Sunday it will be a boon for Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer and receiver Josh Gordon. Colts tight end Dwayne Allen practiced Wednesday. Allen has missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain.
- Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (hip) will be able to play Sunday, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, but that he might be held out of practice Wednesday.
- Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) was limited in practice, according to The Denver Post. Thomas hasn't played since a Nov. 16 loss to the Rams.
- Redskins wideout DeSean Jackson (fibula) didn't practice Wednesday, according to NBC Washington. Jackson is dealing with an injury he sustained in last week's loss against the Colts.
- Bucs linebacker Lavonte Davis returned to practice Wednesday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. David has missed the past two games with a hamstring issue but is still among leading tacklers in the league.
- Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will likely miss Sunday's game against the Vikings, according to Rex Ryan. Ryan said Wilkerson won't take a painkilling shot because it isn't in the player's best interest.
- Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger was limited for the Titans. He left Sunday's loss to the Texans after sustaining a shoulder injury following a hit from J.J. Watt.
- Raiders running back Latavius Murray was fully cleared after passing the concussion protocol. Murray went off for 112 yards on just four carries in Oakland's lone win this season against the Chiefs last Thursday, but left the game when he sustained the injury on a kickoff.
- Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (shoulder) has been ruled out against the Ravens.
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