Alfonso

Smith

Smith also had 21 yards on three catches. It looks like he’s the preferred in-house option over Chester Taylor, but we wouldn’t go rushing to the waiver wire to pick Smith up. Smith lacks instincts between the tackles and is more of a straight-line runner, struggling to make defenders miss. He’s going to go back to the bench when Wells (hamstring) returns, which should be soon.

Smith coasted into the end zone from a yard out in the second quarter, after Wells sprained his knee. Wells’ injury could be a multi-week situation. While Smith is more of a straight-line athlete than complete NFL running back, he’ll be worth grabbing in fantasy leagues this week as the favorite for Cardinals goal-line carries. Unfortunately, Smith has the Ravens on tap in Week 8. He does get the Rams after that, though.

All are ''exclusive rights’’ free agents and expected to sign. Bartel appeared in two games last season in relief of John Skelton. Smith, undrafted in 2006, spent time between the Cardinals’ active roster and practice squad. Talley and Williams provide organizational depth.

Smith was forced into Arizona’s No. 2 back job for a spell last season after Ryan Williams’ torn patella. Smith has respectable size and speed, but there is zero wiggle to his game and he doesn’t break tackles. He wound up averaging 3.40 yards per carry and falling back down the depth chart by season’s end. Smith will have to battle for a roster spot this summer.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic wrote Friday that his “hunch” was that Wells would play in a limited role and that now appears to be the consensus. Given the matchup and volatility he’s not a recommended option as anything more than a mid-to-low end flex. If he can’t play, Alfonso Smith, Chester Taylor, and LaRod Stephens-Howling would share time.

Give Wells credit for beating his recovery timetable of 1-2 weeks after spraining his knee in last week’s game. Not close to 100 percent and expected to play a limited role against a dominant defense, Wells isn’t even a recommended flex option this week. We’d steer clear of the Cardinals backfield altogether for Week 8.

Smith lost out to William Powell, who entered the week as the preseason rushing leader, for the final tailback spot.

The NFL’s preseason rushing leader caught the eye of Rotoworld’s Chris Wesseling last week, showing more burst than presumed third-stringer Alfonso Smith ever has at this level. Up to 231 yards at 7.0 per clip after a strong training camp, Powell is doing is best to push Smith off the roster -- even if his production has come primarily versus players that will be cut next week.

Beat writer Kent Somers says Smith’s signing “is perhaps an indication that [Beanie] Wells won’t be able to play on Sunday, or maybe longer.” Wells is dealing with turf toe. Smith will slide in behind Ryan Williams, LaRod Stephens-Howling and William Powell if Beanie is indeed sidelined.

Any player acquired would be a mere stopgap until Wells returns in November. Beat writer Kent Somers confirms the Cardinals are “not enamored” with any of the available street free agents after getting burned by Chester Taylor a year ago. Arizona will proceed with the underwhelming trio of William Powell, La’Rod Stephens-Howling, and Alfonso Smith.