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Buried underneath issues at the quarterback position and on the offensive line, there are even more questions concerning the Arizona Cardinals offense moving forward under new head coach Bruce Arians.

Those questions have to do with the running back position. Beanie Wells had an entirely forgettable 2012 season, running for only 234 yards on 88 carries while battling injuries throughout the campaign.

Second-year running back Ryan Williams suffered a shoulder injury early in the season and was limited to just 58 carries.

In other words, the Cardinals, who finished last in the league in rushing in 2012, need help at the position.

Evan Silva, an NFL editor for Rotoworld and writer for NBC Sports, tweeted out a possible solution earlier this week.

Mendenhall has spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being a first round draft pick out of Illinois in 2008.

But he too has been plagued by injuries during his career. His rookie season was cut short by a shoulder injury suffered in a Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Mendenhall also suffered a torn right ACL in the season finale against the Cleveland Browns in 2011 -- an injury that spilled over to 2012 and held him to just 182 yards rushing on 51 carries.

The 5-foot-10, 225-pound back also was suspended by the Steelers for not showing up to a game against the San Diego Chargers December 9.

Mendenhall is a free agent and isn't expected to re-sign with the Steelers. He's played under Arians, who was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator for the first four years of his career.

Vince Marotta, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

10 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    Lee A. wrote...
    Take a Pass on this Guy
    Cards don't need another RB with an injury filled history and possible attitude problems. I remember him from his days at Illinois and though he could be a really good NFL RB but after five years with a team like the Steelers (meaning a pretty good team), he's not panning out so no reason to believe things will be different for him here.
  • Abuse
    shava wrote...
    Can you say OL..!
    Doesn't matter build this OL.. to run and Beanie Wells or Reshard Mendenhall could fit. On Beanie Wells defense (doesn't have much) How can u expect him to run with this OL my god.. they avreged below 80 yards a game.. give the guy a break..!!
  • Abuse
    shava wrote...
    Can you say OL..!
    Doesn't matter build this OL.. to run and Beanie Wells or Reshard Mendenhall could fit. On Beanie Wells defense (doesn't have much) How can u expect him to run with this OL my god.. they avreged below 80 yards a game.. give the guy a break..!!
  • Abuse
    sayswho wrote...
    Where
    do these moron writers dream up this stuff. Lets add another injury prone RB to the mix. Please! Arians has already said how much he likes Ryan Williams and they have already picked up the option on Wells for next year. And we really have no clue how good either one can be until the O line gets upgraded. Maybe use a 3rd or 4th round pick on a RB if you want some depth, but you simply don't sign another injury prone back to the mix. This clown must have inhaled some second hand smoke off the idiot who said the Pats should trade Brady to the Cards.
  • Abuse
    the real fan wrote...
    wow
    I dont mind them bringing him in, he will come pretty cheap, and with RBs you kinda throw them at a wall and see what one sticks. The same people that say dont sign this guy will be the same people that get mad when they draft a RB in the draft and not OL.
  • Abuse
    sundevil7901 wrote...
    While I'm not against Mendenhall coming to AZ
    I don't know that he's a an upgrade from Beanie. Like some other posters said, can we afford to take a chance on a 3rd injury prone RB?
  • Abuse
    CardsFan_ wrote...
    @sayswho
    Where did you see that the Cards have already picked up his option? I can't find any information on that.
  • Abuse
    CardsFan_ wrote...
    Never mind
    Found a reference on Fox Sports AZ saying Wells said the team picked up his option. In that case, I don't see them adding Mendenhall either, doesn't make sense if Wells is going to be there unless somehow Williams won't be back by training camp. I still anticipate them picking up an RB later on in the draft (4th or later) to develop just because of the injury history with Williams and Wells, tho.
  • Abuse
    fatsodonovan70 wrote...
    cards running backs
    I wonder sometimes how sports writers/bloggers get their jobs. What an ignorant, uneducated simpleton to suggest another crybaby, whiner RB for the Cards. Don't we have enough of those already? I.e. Beenie, Beeno, beanie weenie, beanbutt. Fatsodonovan70
  • Abuse
    hm wrote...
    Trouble
    Mendenhall is done. We need a solid RB not another problem. When a player does not show up for a game that's just bad character. I agree these writers are a joke nsometimes.
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