Beanie Wells held out of practice
Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. -- That breakout season so many have predicted for Beanie Wells might be on hold for a week.
The Arizona Cardinals' second-year running back sat out practice again on Thursday with a sore right knee. He said the knee is "a lot better" but it would be the coach's decision on whether he would play in the Cardinals' season opener Sunday in St. Louis.
"We'll see," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "If he can make the kind of progress he's made the last couple of days then we'll see where he is on game day."
The team has three other running backs, so Whisenhunt said the Cardinals can be cautious with the injury.
"What concerns me is I don't want this to be something that in week 12 or week 13 or week 14 that you're having issues with," the coach said. "Like we said earlier in the week, we're going to be conservative on it. If we feel like Beanie's made enough progress by Sunday, then he'll play. If we don't, then like I said, I feel very strong at that position."
Asked about the possibility of missing the opener in what is supposed to be a big season for him, Wells flashed his trademark smile and said, "Sixteen games. It's a long season."
Even if he was healthy, Wells still would be behind starter Tim Hightower on the depth chart.
Wells, a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, led the team in rushing with 793 yards in 176 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Hightower enters his third NFL season after being picked in the fifth round out of Richmond.
