TEMPE, Ariz. -- With Jonathan Dwyer deactivated Wednesday after he was arrested on domestic violence and assault charges, the Arizona Cardinals are left with two healthy running backs and an injured starter heading into Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Starting running back Andre Ellington missed Wednesday's practice as he continues to recover from a torn tendon in his left foot. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday last week before taking the field in a limited capacity Friday. Ellington ran for 91 yards on 15 carries Sunday against the New York Giants.
"Hopefully we'll get something out of him [Thursday]," Arians said during his Wednesday news conference. "It's not quite as sore as it was last week. He's in the boot and we'll keep him that way.
"Hopefully, tomorrow we'll get a little bIt more work than we've been getting the last couple of weeks and see some things. He may practice Thursday."
Dwyer, who was Ellington's backup, had 31 yards on nine carries and a touchdown against the Giants.
The two healthy running backs -- Stepfan Taylor and Robert Hughes -- have combined for two carries for four yards this season as Arizona's third and fourth options. Taylor's role will likely be increased, but he's a different back than Dwyer, who at 5-foot-11 and 229 pounds is two inches and 13 pounds heavier than Taylor.
Hughes was praised all preseason for his ability to be a multifaceted back and Cardinals coach Bruce Arians raved about his pass-catching ability as a fullback.
As of Wednesday evening, Chris Rainey was the only running back on the Cardinals' practice squad. Rainey was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013 after being accused of slapping his girlfriend. Rainey also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor stalking charge while in college at Florida, according to reports.
