Backup running back Darrel Williams performed at an elite level for the Arizona Cardinals after James Conner injured his ankle
Many fans of the Arizona Cardinals were upset back in March when Chase Edmonds signed a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins. There were those who wondered aloud if the offense would miss what the popular running back brought to the table.
If the Cards’ 29-23 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Raiders is any indication, the team will do just fine without Edmonds. Following the ankle injury that took starter James Conner out of the game in the third quarter, Arizona’s rushing attack was saved by a late-May pickup from the Kansas City Chiefs.
The magnificent play of Darrel Williams during the Cardinals improbable triumph over the Raiders should come as no surprise to anyone who’s familiar with the veteran. In fact, the acquisition of the 27-year-old could turn out to be one of the club’s most underrated moves of the 2022 offseason.
Williams turned just eight carries into a whopping 59 yards for a Redbirds squad that desperately needed to win. The former LSU product rumbled through the Las Vegas defense, taking full advantage of his opportunity to show the Cards coaching staff what he can do.
With just over eight minutes to play, newly-acquired wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was stopped just short of the goal-line on a 25-yard pass from Kyler Murray. On the very next play, Williams strong-armed his way into the end zone and Arizona had life.
The 5 foot 11, 224 pound Williams was coming off of a solid campaign for the Chiefs last season, in which he amassed 1,010 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns. Kansas City allowed the productive runner to leave for some unknown reason, and Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is obviously thrilled.
“I’ve told you all along. He always puts the ball where he’s supposed to be, he always runs the right route, he always picks up in protection and when his number was called, he played his tail off. That’s why we signed him, that’s why we have him. Couldn’t be more excited about the game he had.” – via AZCardinals.com.
Ironically, there’s was talk that Williams could actually be a trade candidate when the Cards were shaping the final roster. The franchise had an overload of ball-carriers this summer, with Eno Benjamin (who also played well on Sunday), Jonathan Ward and rookie Keaontay Ingram in the mix as well.
There was no word on the severity of Conner’s injury after the game. If the workhorse does miss time, rest assured that Williams is equipped to carry the load for a revitalized Arizona scoring attack.
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