Corey

Clement

The veteran running back hurdled over a defender and was tackled while his landing leg was planted on the ground. He was immediately taken into the locker room and ruled questionable to return, which does not inspire confidence in his status for the rest of Sunday’s game; however, we do not yet know the full severity of the injury. In his absence, the Cardinals will turn to undrafted free agent Emari Demercado and practice squad elevation Corey Clement.

Ingram was injured in Thursday’s practice and was unable to practice on Friday. The Cardinals elevated Corey Clement from the practice squad to take his place. None of them other players are major contributors for Arizona.

Clement rushed 14 times for 79 yards in the Cardinals’ final preseason game but won’t be joining the team for Week 1 against the Commanders. The 28-year-old back has been used more as a special teams ace than a running back and would’ve been left fighting for offensive touches behind James Conner and Keaontay Ingram.

Clement again gave way to Keaontay Ingram at the beginning of the game but was by far the most efficient back against the Vikings. He appears to be third in the pecking order for snaps behind starter James Conner, but the solid showing could shake up the hierarchy with two weeks left until the start of the regular season.

A roster filler most utilized on special teams, Clement appeared in nine games last season. Going on 29, Clement will not be a lock to make the 53-man roster. He has just 69 carries over the past four years.

Signed by the Ravens in the offseason, Clement was ultimately cut from Baltimore before joining the Cardinals’ practice squad in the middle of the season. He joined the active roster late in the year and got the start in Week 18 with James Conner sidelined. Clement will look to sign another one-year deal as a backup and special teams contributor in the spring.

Clement previously worked out for the Cardinals in early October but failed to receive a contract until the recent release of running back Eno Benjamin. Expect Clement to be reserved for emergency situations behind James Conner and Keaontay Ingram.

He was part of a “group of running backs” in Arizona, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Clement was cut by the Ravens in mid-August. This news does not augur particularly well for the health of James Conner and Darrell Williams.

That certainly resembles a vote for J.K. Dobbins health, and maybe also one for Justice Hill’s training camp. Clement will look to catch on elsewhere as a veteran runner with special teams experience.

He gets the job over Wayne Gallman. Clement, 27, played in all 17 games for the Cowboys last season, turning 33 carries into 140 yards as a deep reserve and special teams contributor. With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both opening training camp on active/PUP, Clement gives the Ravens some veteran depth alongside Mike Davis, Justice Hill, and rookie Tyler Badie. Not everyone is going to make the team.