Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) graduated to a full practice on Thursday.  He shouldn't have any limitations in his return this weekend against the Lions.  We're expecting him to get 8-12 touches working behind RB Chris Johnson.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians suggested that RB David Johnson will drop to 3rd on the depth chart with RB Andre Ellington back this week.  “It’s not hard, because the young guy sits down,” Arians said of the crowded RB situation.  Johnson has flashed big-play ability, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 15.2 yards per catch.  But he lost a fumble and dropped a TD last week.  Johnson could earn his way into a larger role later this year, but he belongs on fantasy benches for now.  Chris Johnson is currently Arizona's lead back, while Ellington will return in a change-of-pace role.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) remained limited in Wednesday's practice.  He was limited all last week before missing the Rams game.  HC Bruce Arians said Ellington was close to playing in that one, so we're expecting him to play this Sunday against the Lions.  But we'd like to see him get in a full practice before then.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is inactive for today’s game against the Rams. Chris Johnson will lead the backfield in touches, with David Johnson again serving as the #2 RB.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Rams after a limited week of practices. HC Bruce Arians reiterated on Friday that Ellington is a game-time decision. If he plays, he’ll work behind RB Chris Johnson vs. a stout run defense.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians called RB Andre Ellington (knee) "50/50" for this weekend's game against the Rams.  He was officially limited in Wednesday's practice.  He can go straight ahead real fast as always," Arians said.  "It’s just the turning and stopping a little bit.”  We'll continue to track Ellington's progress over the next few days.  But between the knee issue, a tough matchup and the fact that Chris Johnson is expected to lead the Cardinals backfield in touches this week, Ellington will be a shaky fantasy option if he plays.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said Tuesday that he expects RB Chris Johnson to remain a "15-20 touch" guy going forward.  Of course, this is the same Arians who said last year that RB Andre Ellington would see 25-30 touches per game.  The takeaway here, though, is that Johnson will remain heavily involved -- perhaps even as the lead back.  The 30-year-old has averaged a decent 4.2 yards per carry through 3 games.  Still, he's the least talented player among Arizona's RB trio, so we'd expect Johnson's role to shrink at some point.  The Cardinals backfield is best off avoided in a tough Week 3 matchup against the Rams.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians confirmed after Sunday's win that RB Andre Ellington (knee) is expected back for Week 4.  He'll be returning to a backfield that just saw RB Chris Johnson tally a 100-yard game and RB David Johnson flash big-play ability.  Expect some sort of committee attack.  We'll be keeping a close eye on how the touches are divvied.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is listed as doubtful for this weekend's game against the 49ers.  HC Bruce Arians called him a game-time decision on Friday, but Ellington isn't going to play.  He did return to a limited practice on Friday, so he has a good shot to return for Week 4.  RB Chris Johnson figures to lead Arizona's backfield in touches this Sunday, but rookie RB David Johnson's role should grow.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians labeled RB Andre Ellington (knee) a game-time decision for this weekend's tilt with the 49ers.  He returned to a limited practice on Friday -- his 1st since going down in the opener.  We'd still be surprised if Ellington was active on Sunday, but it at least looks like he's on track for a Week 4 return.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) has resumed running.  HC Bruce Arians said Tuesday that he has his "fingers crossed" for Ellington to return for Week 4.  He went down in the opener with a PCL sprain that was expected to cost him 2-3 weeks, so Week 4 would fit that timetable.  RB Chris Johnson hasn't impressed in Ellington's absence, but RB David Johnson has.  We'll have to keep a close eye on how the backfield work is divvied when Ellington returns.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is out for Sunday’s game against the Bears, as expected. Consider him week to week. Chris Johnson is expected to lead Arizona’s backfield in touches and is a low-end RB2 in the plus matchup. Rookie RB David Johnson figures to mix in but can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups yet.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a Grade 1 PCL sprain, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.  It's relatively good news after Ellington crumbled yesterday with what looked like a potential season-ender.  His absence will give RBs Chris Johnson and David Johnson a shot to carve out bigger roles, though.  Chris is expected to lead the backfield in touches while Ellington is out, but David is the more intriguing talent.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians suggested that Chris Johnson will be the team's lead back while Andre Ellington (knee) is sidelined. “I thought Chris looked good,” Arians said of the veteran's Week 1 performance. “He’ll get more touches and we will feel very confident if he is our lead dog.”  We did think that Chris looked better than his 10-37 rushing line would suggest.  But David Johnson had the play of the game, taking his only touch for a 55-yard TD.  The rookie is clearly the more explosive Johnson at this point.  We're expecting a committee attack as long as Ellington is out, but Chris will be the favorite to lead the backfield in Week 2 touches.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians announced after Sunday's win over the Saints that RB Andre Ellington has a PCL injury.  It's better than an ACL, but the severity of the ligament damage will determine how long Ellington is sidelined.  It's "not typically a season-ending injury," according to Dr. David Chao, a former NFL head team physician.  We should get an update on Ellington on Monday after he undergoes an MRI.  

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington went down untouched in the 4th quarter of Sunday's game.  He limped off and was carted to the locker room with what the team announced as a right knee injury.  Non-contact injuries usually don't end well.  We'll pass along an update when we get one.

When asked whether RB Chris Johnson could see time as the Cardinals' feature back, HC Bruce Arians told the Arizona Republic: "If he wins it. I'm open to anything once you win it." That's how it should be in an Arizona backfield currently led by Andre Ellington, who has yet to spend a healthy season as an NFL starter. We're certainly not betting on Johnson beating out Ellington for the lead role, and we are betting on Ellington to hold a big lead in touches over the rest of his backfield mates. But the Cards seem ready to at least allow competition for RB roles. We'll see what the next couple of preseason games might reveal.