Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Ryan Williams will miss the entire upcoming season due to a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee.
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed Saturday afternoon what was first thought when Williams was carted off the field in Friday's 28-20 preseason loss at Green Bay. Williams is expected to have surgery next week.
Williams, a second-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, suffered the injury on his only carry Friday night. The six-yard rush came on the second play of the third quarter.
It now looks as if Beanie Wells will get plenty of carries for the Cardinals this upcoming season. He had 397 yards in 2010, playing second fiddle to Tim Hightower, who was traded to Washington last month.
As a sophomore in 2010, Williams had 477 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on only 110 carries in 10 games played (five starts) for the Hokies. In his freshman season, he ran for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries. His 1,655 rushing yards established a school record and his 21 touchdowns tied Marshall Faulk's NCAA freshman record.
Alfonso Smith is a candidate to replace Williams. Smith, who played college ball at Kentucky, ran for 39 yards and a score on 12 carries Friday night.