Andre Ellington Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Cardinals GM Steve Keim reiterated that RB Andre Ellington won't be "featured" in 2014 but added that he will see "more work."  Keim added, "I don’t know that there are many featured backs in the NFL. Adrian Peterson, those types of guys. Most teams use a platoon of backs and that would probably be no different than us. Andre, the way he’s built, his body type, is more in line with Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles. His speed and acceleration, his movement skills, that’s his strength."  No one is looking for 300+ carries from the 5'9, 199-pound Ellington.  But he certainly deserves more than the 157 touches he garnered last year.  The Johnson and Charles comparisons are encouraging.  Both guys have proven capable of handling 300+ touches.  Even 250 would give Ellington top 20 fantasy upside.  We'll continue to keep a close eye on Arizona's plans for him this season.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (thigh) put in a limited practice on Wednesday.  It's good news after he was knocked out of the end of last weekend's game.  Ellington should be ready to face the Seahawks this Sunday, but that matchup makes him a shaky fantasy starter.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington was sidelined for the end of Sunday's game with a thigh injury.  He didn't express any concern afterward.  “Throughout the course of the game I took a few hits on it, but I’ll be fine,” Ellington said.  We'll keep an eye on him this week, but he should be ready for next Sunday's game against the Seahawks.  Ellington was Arizona's best offensive player in Week 15, leading the team in rushing (71 yards) and receiving (87 yards).  He spent a lot of time split out wide or in the slot.  Ellington will only be a RB3 or flex against a tough Seattle defense this weekend, but the rookie has a bright future.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is active for today's game against the Rams.  He put in a full practice on Friday and was listed as probable, so he should be at or close to 100%.  Expect his usual 10-14 touches, making Ellington a high-upside RB3 or flex.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) graduated to a full practice on Friday and is listed as probable for this weekend’s game against the Rams.  HC Bruce Arians said Friday that it “looked like he was back to normal.”  Ellington should be available for his usual role (10-14 touches) in a plus matchup.  He’s an upside RB3 or flex play.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington was on the practice field on Thursday for the 1st time since injuring his knee a week ago.  It gives him a shot to play against the Rams on Sunday.  We'll have another update on his status tomorrow.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) missed another practice on Wednesday.  "I’m fine right now," he said.  "It’s a day by day thing. I’ll be ready to go on Sunday."  That doesn't seem particularly likely since he hasn't practiced since injuring that knee Thursday.  HC Bruce Arians said Ellington was "never close" to play last weekend.  We'd consider him worse than 50-50 to play against the Rams this Sunday.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians said that RB Andre Ellington (knee) was "never close" to playing against the Eagles on Sunday.  That contradicts previous reports that Ellington was a game-time decision.  But it's not a major surprise considering the rookie didn't practice on Friday after injuring that knee on Thursday.  We still don't have any details on the extent of the injury, but Ellington sounds iffy for Week 14.  Arians added that he'll be "careful" with his young back.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is inactive for today's game against the Eagles.  His pregame workout must not have gone well.  Ellington's injury isn't considered serious, so he should be back for Week 14.  His absence today should mean a few extra touches for RB Rashard Mendenhall.  He's still just a RB3 or flex, though.  RB Alfonso Smith figures to see a bit more action on passing downs.

NFL Network's Albert Breer hears that Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) will play against the Eagles today, "barring a setback in warmups."  Ellington injured his knee on Thursday and was unable to practice on Friday.  But it's clearly not a significant issue.  Still, the injury adds risk to a guy who's limited workload already makes him risky.  We'll know Ellington's official status by noon ET.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles.  He tweaked his knee on Thursday and did not practice on Friday.  HC Bruce Arians said the injury isn’t serious but labeled Ellington a game-time decision.  We’ll find out his status by noon ET on Sunday.  If active, Ellington will be a risk/reward RB3 or flex.  RB Rashard Mendenhall will get a slight boost if Ellington sits.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington popped up on Thursday's injury report with a knee.  He got in a limited workout.  Insider Darren Urban "guesses" the injury happened in practice.  Check back tomorrow for an update on Ellington's status for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians told the team website that RB Rashard Mendenhall will start Sunday but that he wants to continue to feature rookie RB Andre Ellington.  Arians prescribed about 20 touches a game for Ellington.  We'll chalk that number up to fuzzy coach math, given that Ellington touched the ball just 17 times in the last game, which he started in place of Mendenhall.  But the key here is that Arians clearly realizes Ellington has become 1 of the team's top offensive options -- easily the best backfield performer.  Look for the rookie to be a weekly starter candidate for your fantasy football team the rest of the way.

Cardinals HC Bruce Arians sees RB Andre Ellington playing 30-32 snaps per game going forward.  "He doesn't have the body type to take on more throughout a 16-game season," Arians added.  That's fair -- Ellington goes 5'9 and 199 pounds and never projected as a workhorse.  He saw exactly 30 snaps in Sunday's win over the Panthers, totaling 83 yards on 11 touches.  There's still room for that workload to grow to 15 or so touches per game.  For more on Ellington, check out our Week 5 Free Agent Focus.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington finished with just 6 touches against the Saints on Sunday.  But the rookie once again flashed impressive burst, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and 12 yards per catch.  More importantly, he actually led the Arizona backfield with 27 snaps.  Rashard Mendenhall played 23 and Alfonso Smith 18.  That was probably at least in part to Mendenhall's toe injury, but Ellington's role seems to be growing by the week.  For more on the intriguing rookie, check out our Week 3 Free Agent Focus.

RB Adrian Ellington came up with some big plays for the Cardinals in Sunday's win over the Lions.  He hauled in a 36-yard TD on a wheel route in the 2nd quarter and also carried 4 times for 20 yards.  He played 21 snaps -- way up from his 8 in the opener.  HC Bruce Arians has been impressed by his rookie, saying Monday that he can "carry the load."  We don't think that means Ellington is pushing RB Rashard Mendenhall for the starting job, but he at least looks primed to take on a bigger role as a change-of-pace.  Ellington is certainly worth monitoring -- and maybe even adding in deeper PPR leagues.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington is dealing with a concussion.  He was unable to play in the team's preseason opener Friday night.  The rookie is missing a golden opportunity with the Arizona backfield banged-up.  Ryan Williams remains sidelined with knee problems, and Rashard Mendenhall sat out the 1st exhibition with his own knee issues.  RB Alfonso Smith got the start Friday night, mustering just 21 yards on 12 carries.  Rookie RB Stepfan Taylor tallied 64 yards on 20 carries.  A healthy Mendenhall remains the starter here, but both Taylor and Ellington could work their way into the mix this season.

The Cardinals obviously weren't sold on their Rashard Mendenhall-Ryan Williams backfield combo.  They added RB Stepfan Taylor in the 5th round of the draft, and then snagged Andre Ellington in the 6th.  Taylor rushed for 1,000+ yards in each of the past 3 years at Stanford.  He doesn't stand out in any single area, though.  Taylor goes 5'9 and 214 pounds with 4.7 speed.  Ellington is the more intriguing prospect.  He's undersized at 5'9, 199 pounds but comes with legit big-play ability.  He averaged 5+ yards per carry in each of his 4 seasons at Clemson.  Ellington is also a capable pass-catcher, with 36 grabs over the past 2 seasons.  We think he's capable of winning a change-of-pace role in Arizona's backfield.