TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals released running back Andre Ellington on Monday, a day after he was a healthy scratch for their game against the Houston Texans.
Arizona's official release did not cite a reason, but Ellington was in the Cardinals' locker room after the game.
The move came as a surprise considering Ellington was Arizona's third-down back. That role will likely go to D.J. Foster. In eight games this season, Ellington had 15 carries for 53 yards and one touchdown. He also had 33 receptions for 297 yards.
Ellington signed a one-year deal worth $905,000 with the Cardinals in March to stay with the team that drafted him in the sixth round in 2013.
Injuries marred his career.
Ellington has been slowed by multiple injuries to his foot, hip, knee and head, which led to a decline in action and subsequent decline in production.
After his first two years with the Cardinals, during which he was an integral part of the offense, his production slowly declined. Ellington had 1,023 all-purpose yards (652 rushing and 371 receiving) in 15 games as a rookie and 1,055 yards (660 rushing and 395 receiving) in 12 games -- all starts -- in 2014. But as his injuries started to mount, the Cardinals turned to other options to be their primary back.
When Arizona signed Chris Johnson in 2015, Ellington's numbers took a sharp dive to just 289 rushing and 148 receiving yards, as he was limited to 10 games because of injuries.
Last season, as one of Johnson's backups, Ellington ran for 96 yards on 34 carries.
This season, Ellington saw his touches go down after Arizona traded for Adrian Peterson. He was averaging 8.2 touches per game in the Cardinals' first five contests and has had seven since.
