The Cardinals drafted Beanie Wells with the hope that he would become the featured back the team had lacked.

Wells, in turn, rushed for 793 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, flashing the ability and stiff-arm that made the Cardinals excited to have him.

But then 2010 happened, and a preseason injury derailed Wells' season almost before it even began.

However, it's time to turn the page.

Wells has ascended to the No. 1 role almost by default, since the team traded Tim Hightower to Washington, and while it may seem like one final chance to prove his worth, Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt said it would be premature to call it a "make or break" year for the former Ohio State star.

He did, though, say Wells has wanted to be the top running back for the team, and now is his chance to show he can get the job done.

"After one year of a lot of promise and then another year where it didn't quite go as well as anybody wanted," Whisenhunt said. "Beanie is a very talented player, he's had a lot to learn and hopefully now he's in a position where there's a very clear message about what his mission is, that's to be the guy.

"Hopefully he'll take those reins and, to be cliche, run with them."

ArizonaSports.com's Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report