The Arizona Cardinals have lost running back Kenyan Drake for what is expected to be several weeks due to an ankle injury. That means Chase Edmonds will become the starter.
He had a taste in 2019 when David Johnson was injured. In his first start, he had 126 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. He got injured in his next game.
In a complementary role this season, he has been dynamic. He has averaged 6.1 yards per rushing attempt this season on 29 carries, gaining 176 yards and scoring a touchdown. He has also caught 26 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
Edmonds is ready.
“I busted my ass this offseason, truly,” he said after the Cardinals’ 37-34 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. “From before COVID even started, I kept working every single day.”
He worked out regularly with Trent Sherfield, Christian Kirk and Christ Streveler. Edmonds is preparing himself to be a starting running back.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has stated on more than one occasion he believes that Edmonds is a starting-caliber running back.
He will get a lot of work.
There has been some question about who will be Edmonds’ backup while Drake is out. Kingsbury doesn’t have a favorite right now between rookies Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward and veteran D.J. Foster, who is on the practice squad.
“I wouldn’t say there’s one that we’re leaning towards over the other two.” he told reporters on Monday. “We’ll have a competition with those guys and see who practices the best and then kind of take it from there.”
If Kingsbury is anything like he was last year, it won’t really matter who are the backups. They won’t get much usage.
From the time they acquired him in a trade, Drake had 123 carries and 28 receptions on 35 targets.
From the time Drake was acquired, David Johnson and Edmonds combined for 19 carries and six receptions.
In terms of playing time, Drake played 315 offensive snaps once he joined the team. Johnson and Edmonds combined for 116 total offensive snaps during that same time, and some of those were with Drake on the field. One game, all three were on the field for a play.
As long as Edmonds is healthy, he will get extensive playing time. He will likely only come out when he needs a breather, at least until someone behind him earns Kingsbury’s trust.
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