"Running back Beanie Wells' right knee is "stable" and he won't need surgery, coach Ken Whisenhunt said on Monday.

Wells took a hit on the knee during the second quarter on Sunday against the Steelers. He had swelling and did not return.

Whisenhunt wouldn't put a timetable on Wells' return. The Cardinals were encouraged by the news because on Sunday they feared that Wells could be out for the season, Whisenhunt said.

If Wells can't play on Sunday in Baltimore, Alfonso Smith is likely to start, but LaRod Stephens-Howling and Chester Taylor likely would play there, too. "It will be a little bit of back-by-committee," Whisenhunt said when asked who would play if Wells was out.

A report on NFL.com on Monday called Wells' injury a bone bruise, but Whisenhunt said that was not an accurate description. He declined to give details on the injury."