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Beanie Wells News & Rumors

Beanie: When the time is right
May 22
Arizona Republic
 
"Beanie Wells is a power back without a whole lot of wiggle to him. Until you ask about his surgically-repaired right knee. Then he can shake and juke with the best of them. Wells played much of last season with a knee problem. We don't know how significant it was because no details were provided. That's not uncommon during the season. After the season, however, teams and players usually are more open about injuries suffered the previous year. But Wells still isn't providing details, other than it was repaired arthroscopically. "It's coming along pretty good," Wells said. "No setbacks at all, I'm feeling confident about being ready when the time is right." The right time is July 24 when"
Beanie Wells aiming for Cardinals' training camp
May 18
NFL.com
 
"Five months removed from a second surgery on his right knee in 16 months, Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells is focusing on being ready for training camp and is not sure if he'll be on the practice field when the team begins its OTAs on Tuesday. "I am hopeful, but it's offseason stuff," Wells told Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. "Being ready for training camp is the most important thing." A 2009 first-round pick, Wells is coming off his most productive season, starting 14 of 15 games and rushing for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing in over 55 percent of the Cardinals offensive snaps. Over half of Wells' production, including six of his 10 touchdowns, came in four games"
Beanie Wells begins rehab on knee
January 28
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells is back in the Valley after undergoing athroscopic surgery earlier this week on his right knee. Wells described the surgery "as just a scope" and a simple clean-up. He said the surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Gulf Breeze, Fla., went as expected."
Cardinals sit Beanie Wells vs. Seahawks
January 2
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells didn't know he was being held out of their game against the Seattle Seahawks game until Sunday, and he was not happy. "I was pissed," Wells said. Wells has played with a right-knee injury since Week 6. Coach Ken Whisenhunt made the decision to sit Wells based on how he practiced this week and "where we were in the season." "Beanie was mad at me because Beanie wanted to play. He's been a warrior all year, playing on one leg, and I just thought, at this point, it was in his best interest not to play. You're torn, because you always have the opportunity for a big play with Beanie in there." LaRod Stephens-Howling replaced Wells and made his first start of"
Beanie Wells perseveres through 2011
December 30
Arizona Republic
 
"Beanie Wells appreciates the good things that came in this football season. The Cardinals running back has missed only one game and rushed for 1,000 yards for the first time in his three-year career. But Wells will look back at the 2011 season with frustration, too. An injury to his right knee suffered against the Steelers in Week 6 diminished his strength and explosiveness. Wells persevered, helping to dispel the notion that he's soft, but he can't help but think about what could have been. "I missed a few runs and had I been a little bit healthier, I would have been out there full time," Wells said. "But one day, I tell you one day, I'm going to be healthy and I'm going to unleash hell"
Arizona Cardinals' Beanie Wells on verge of milestone
December 24
Arizona Republic
 
"Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells can become the ninth different Cardinals player to rush for 1,000 yards if he picks up just six more yards against the Bengals. But he also has a shot at tying or setting another franchise record. With 10 rushing touchdowns and two games left to play, he is within reach of John David Crow's 1962 single-season record of 14. "That would be nice. I didn't even know that," Wells said, adding with a smile, "Hopefully I can get all of that this week.""
Rusher Wells Cards' top guy
December 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Beanie Wells grew up in Akron, in the heart of Cleveland Browns territory, but there was no doubt about his favorite running back. "Corey Dillon," said Wells, the former Ohio State star now in his third season with Arizona and on the verge of his first 1,000-yard campaign as the Cardinals come to Dillon's former home for Saturday's game against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium."
Cardinals running back Beanie Wells gets tough
December 7
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells won't say what's wrong with his right knee, just that it pains him, swells occasionally, and he doesn't like the brace he began wearing three games ago. Wells is too nice of guy to make you talk to the hand, either. Even if he wanted to, he would extend the right one, because he might be wearing a brace on the left wrist for some undisclosed reason. "I'm fine," Wells said when asked about it after Sunday's victory over the Cowboys. That, or some variation of it, has been Wells' standard answer this year when asked about his health."
Cardinals running back Beanie Wells is getting tougher Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2011/11/28/20111128arizona-cardinals-beanie-wells-tougher.html#ixzz1f7Jr1Q00
November 29
Arizona Republic
 
"Last season or two years ago as a rookie, Beanie Wells probably wouldn't have returned to the game like he did Sunday, when he grabbed his right knee in pain against the St. Louis Rams. He got his cleats stuck in the turf during a run, got twisted around and pushed down awkwardly, and it appeared he wasn't coming back anytime soon. After all, Wells has been dealing with an undisclosed injury to that same knee for the past month and he hasn't exactly been compared to Superman when it comes to being invincible to pain."
Beanie Wells is finally tapping his monstrous potential
November 28
Arizona Republic
 columnist Dan Bickley
"And yet Ken Whisenhunt chose to risk it all. Instead of running out the clock with a 23-20 victory already in pocket, the Cardinals' coach ordered one more carry for Beanie Wells, who was pursuing a franchise record. Wells also was limping noticeably, wearing a knee brace, had fumbled earlier in the quarter and isn't always the most reliable man on a football field. "It was a risk, and I totally understand that," Whisenhunt said. "But we told Beanie to hold onto it, and I was just trying to get one yard. The franchise marks are very important." Like a deranged bull, Wells snorted and stomped for 14 yards on that final carry, finishing with 228 rushing yards. The number is enormous, enough"
Beanie Wells eager to face 49ers' run defense
November 18
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells knows all about the 49ers' impressive run defense. He knows it hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 31 consecutive games. He knows it hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown all season. "And I'm excited to face them because of that," he said. "They're a good football team and I want to go out there and give them my best. When you go against a good defense like that, you always want to step your game up a little bit more." The way Wells sees it, a couple of big runs early against San Francisco will help set the tone for a big game by him. "That's absolutely it," he said. "When you do something good early on in the football game, it's more incentive for you to keep going"
Cardinals' Beanie Wells plays vs. Ravens despite knee injury
October 31
Arizona Republic
 
"Last week, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said if Beanie Wells couldn't play Sunday against the Ravens, the running-back position would be manned by committee. Wells played, yet the work at running back still was done by committee. Wells led it with 22 carries for 83 yards, but LaRod Stephens-Howling, Alfonso Smith and Chester Taylor also played. Wells said he was "definitely not" as explosive as he was before suffering a knee injury last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers."
Beanie Wells expected to play
October 30
Pro Football Talk
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells is good to go today in Baltimore. Wells was expected to be a game-time decision, but Adam Schefter of ESPN passes along the word, three hours before game time, that Wells is expected to play."
Cardinals RB Wells' knee improving; game-time decision Sunday
October 28
NFL.com
 
"Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said running back Beanie Wells' sore knee is "progressing," and he will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team's official website reported. Wells, listed as questionable, has practiced on a limited basis the past three days since suffering a bone bruise in his right knee in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The injury originally was feared to be a season-ender, but now it appears Wells will miss a few weeks at the most."
What might be wrong with Beanie Wells' knee
October 26
Arizona Republic
 
"What fans and media know about Beanie Wells' injured right knee fits in a medium-sized paragraph. Wells suffered the injury against the Steelers last Sunday and has swelling. The knee is "stable", according to coach Ken Whisenhunt, and Wells won't knee surgery. The unknown, however, takes several paragraphs to explore. We don't know what part of the knee is injured. We don't know what made the knee keep "locking up" on Sunday. Wells said it's not related to the knee surgery he underwent last season. And we don't know if it's related to the allergic reaction he had later to an injection. We don't know when Wells will return, so his availability for Sunday's game in Baltimore is in question."
Beanie Wells' knee is stable
October 24
Arizona Republic
 
"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"
Bone bruise likely to sideline Cards RB Wells up to 2 weeks
October 24
NFL.com
 
"The Arizona Cardinals expect to lose running back Beanie Wells for at least a week, and possibly two, with a bone bruise in his right knee, a team source said Monday. "Good news is it's not a surgical option," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "His knee is stable." Wells suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's 32-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was taken to the locker room with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first half and didn't return to the game, finishing with 12 carries for 42 yards."
Cardinals RB Beanie Wells hurts knee, will be evaluated
October 24
Arizona Republic
 
"A big portion of the Cardinals' offense went to the locker room with a few minutes remaining in the first half and didn't return. Running back Beanie Wells had suffered a sprained right knee, the severity of which is unknown. "We'll check him out (Monday) and see," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I don't know if it's short term or long term." It's the same knee Wells had surgically repaired a year ago, causing him to miss three games. Wells was never healthy in 2010 and gained 397 yards for the season."
Cardinals RB Wells sidelined by sprained knee against Steelers
October 23
NFL.com
 
"Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells sustained a sprained right knee in Sunday's loss to the Steelers, but what that means for his immediate future is far from clear. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt didn't have an update on Wells' status after the game. "It's something with his knee," Whisenhunt told reporters. "We'll check him out and see. I don't know if it's a short-term or long-term, I just don't know.""
Cardinals' Beanie Wells looks to improve in receiving game
October 7
Arizona Republic
 
"Beanie Wells is doing a fine job running the football, gaining 321 yards in three games. Catching the football, however, has proved more difficult for the Cardinals running back. Wells thinks he should have caught a screen pass a few weeks ago, even though the ball was high. He dropped a pass on third down at the New York Giants' 18-yard line a week ago, and fumbled a pitch near the Carolina Panthers' goal line in the season opener. "Whenever you have a game (vs. the Giants) so close like that, you care about every little minimal mistake," Wells said. "What if? What if I'd have caught that pass? What if we had (pulled) the screen off? Would we have won the game? "I don't want to go"
Whisenhunt expects Cardinals RB Wells to play vs. Giants
October 2
NFL.com
 
"There continues to be optimism that running back Beanie Wells will be available for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday when they face the New York Giants. Wells already has said he expects to play, and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt sounded pretty convinced of that himself Saturday. Whisenhunt told SiriusXM Radio that Wells felt good while taking more reps during practice Friday and will work out before Sunday's home game to fully determine his status. "Barring something happening that I don't know about right now, I expect him to play," Whisenhunt said."
Arizona Cardinals RB Beanie Wells tests hamstring in practice
September 30
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells opened up in practice Thursday, but not in an "Oprah" kind of way. Wells tested his strained hamstring by sprinting in practice, and there were no immediate ill effects. That gives the Cardinals additional hope that Wells will be able to play Sunday against the Giants. Wells increased his workload Thursday. He didn't sprint a lot, said coach Ken Whisenhunt, "because we didn't want to push it. We didn't have any setbacks. Hopefully, we'll get enough reps (Friday) that we're comfortable and we'll check it out before the game as well.""
Cardinals' Beanie Wells limited in practice Wednesday
September 29
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday. The plan is for him to do more Thursday and play on Sunday, but that's not a sure thing. "The thing that you balance is you don't want to lose him for an extended period of time," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "The reason he didn't play last week was so he would be able to play this week. That's our plan. We could certainly use him." However, hamstring injuries are tricky. A player doesn't know what will happen when he runs full speed until he runs full speed."
Arizona Cardinals' Beanie Wells insists it was 'smart' to sit
September 27
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells - who, fair or not, has been saddled with the oft-injured tag - insisted Monday that it was a "smart" decision to sit out Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. The hamstring pull Wells suffered Thursday in practice was enough, he said, to play it safe and not risk losing more time, especially considering the good start he had in the season's first two weeks. "It was smart," he said. "We didn't want it to linger. We came to an agreement, collectively, and we thought it was just smart to sit this one out. We didn't want it to go weeks and weeks down the line. "You know how hamstrings are.""
Hamstring ailment forces Arizona Cardinals RB Beanie Wells to miss part of practice
September 23
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells missed part of practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury apparently suffered during the workout. The seriousness of the injury is unknown. Wells was healthy Wednesday, but was listed on the report Thursday, suggesting the injury happened in practice. Media access to coaches and players typically ends before the Cardinals issue their injury report. That was the case Thursday, so no one was available for comment."
Cardinals RB Beanie Wells looks to solidify role as starter
August 7
Arizona Republic
 
"When Friday's practice ended, Cardinals running-backs coach Tommie Robinson gathered his players at the north end of the field for some final words. Robinson walked away, but the group stayed. Beanie Wells had something to say. For anyone who has followed Wells' first two seasons in the NFL, it was a unique moment that could mean nothing. Or everything. This was the guy who was so homesick as a rookie that coach Ken Whisenhunt allowed him to visit family in Ohio during the season. This was the player who struggled through a knee injury and surgery last season, and made it clear he didn't think he was getting the ball enough. Wells turns 23 Sunday, and the Cardinals aren't sure what they"
Beanie Wells eager to perform
November 19
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells has heard the whispers, detected the innuendo - he's soft. He won't play hurt. He's not passionate about football. Wells knows fighting the perception with words is useless. Would it change any minds if he bought ads that said: "I am hurt. Really. Please believe me"? So Wells smiles and tries to avoid anger. "People can say what they want to say, voice their opinion however they want," he says. "But the injuries I've had, there's nothing I can do to avoid them." Sustained production is the only way to quiet the whispers, to change opinions. And Wells says he is in the physical condition to do it for the first time this season. He's over a knee injury"
Cardinals' RB Wells says he'll play against Vikings
November 6
Arizona Republic
 
"Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells participated in more of Friday's practice than he did the previous two days and said he's playing Sunday against the Vikings. Wells had an adverse reaction to an injection in his right knee Monday and was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. "As long as there are no issues with any kind of swelling tomorrow ... I would anticipate he will be fine," Whisenhunt said. "It's always good to have Beanie up, but like I said, it makes that group even stronger.""
Beanie Wells remains iffy for Sunday
November 5
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells missed part of a second consecutive day of practice on Thursday because of a reaction to an injection he received in his right knee earlier in the week. Wells, who underwent knee surgery in September, received an injection of Orthovisc, which is designed to provide lubrication in the joint, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Very, very seldom do you have a reaction like he did," Whisenhunt said. "So there is really nothing wrong with his knee. It's just about getting the swelling out." On Thursday, Wells said his knee felt better and that he was hopeful of practicing Friday and playing Sunday against the Vikings. "We were just going to try something new and it"
Beanie Wells, Ken Whisenhunt discuss playing time
October 7
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells complained Monday about not getting enough carries and promised he was going to discuss the matter with coach Ken Whisenhunt. Wells found out the coach had a few things on his mind, too. "I understand Beanie's frustration," Whisenhunt said. "We're all frustrated at the way things have gone for us. It would have been my preference that he would have talked to me about it before . . . but those things happen." Wells said headlines made his comments look stronger and more controversial than he meant them. "I'm still a competitor. I want to be out there in crunch-time situations," Wells said. "I think he understands that, and I think Coach wants that in his"
Beanie Wells mad about role, vows to meet with Whisenhunt
October 5
Arizona Republic
 
"Not only do the Cardinals have a full-fledged quarterback controversy, but now they have a potential star running back who is upset about his own role. "I'm not really worried about the quarterback situation. I'm worried about my situation," Beanie Wells told The Arizona Republic on Monday. "I didn't get into the game until there were four minutes left in the second quarter (Sunday against the Chargers) and I have no clue as to why. I'd like to think I'm a big part of this thing, but right now, I don't feel it." Wells, who had just five carries for 19 yards in Arizona's 41-10 loss, said he planned to meet privately with coach Ken Whisenhunt to discuss his displeasure. "Oh, we're definitely"
Cardinals say no funny business with Beanie's knee
September 29
Arizona Republic
 
"The incision marks on running back Beanie Wells' right knee were small but fresh, and in one glance, they provided more information about the severity of Wells' injury than the Cardinals did in three weeks. Wells missed the first two games after suffering what was described as a bruise in the final preseason game. But a bruised knee doesn't require surgery, and the marks left from arthroscopic surgery were obvious when Wells unwrapped the knee last week. When asked Friday, coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Wells underwent surgery Sept. 3 to remove a loose body. Wells later said he had torn meniscus. The whole episode suggests that Whisenhunt might have been partaking in some gamesmanship"
Arizona Cardinals deny misleading Beanie Wells' injury
September 29
Arizona Republic
 
"The incision marks on running back Beanie Wells' right knee were small but fresh, and in one glance, they provided more information about the severity of Wells' injury than the Cardinals did in three weeks. Wells missed the first two games after suffering what was described as a bruise in the final preseason game. But a bruised knee doesn't require surgery, and the marks left from arthroscopic surgery were obvious when Wells unwrapped the knee last week. When asked Friday, coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Wells underwent surgery Sept. 3 to remove a loose body. Wells later said he had torn meniscus. The whole episode suggests that Whisenhunt might have been partaking in some gamesmanship"
Cardinals' Beanie Wells reveals he had knee surgery
September 25
Arizona Republic
 
"Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells' right knee injury was more serious than the "bruise" that it was called for the past three weeks. Coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed Friday that Wells underwent surgery earlier this month, and Wells later said he had meniscus damage repaired. Wells missed the first two games of the season and is expected to play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Wells suffered the injury in the final preseason game, and the team did not announce that he had surgery. He was listed as questionable on the injury report before both games. Reporters asked Whisenhunt about the knee after seeing incision marks on the knee. "I really wasn't worried about what people knew"
Beanie Wells increases workload
September 23
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells practiced in shoulder pads and a helmet on Wednesday for the first time in weeks, an indication he might make his season debut Sunday against the Raiders. Wells is recovering from bruised knee suffered in the final preseason game on Sept. 2. He was limited to some individual drills in practice last week, and increased his workload on Wednesday. How Wells reacts to the additional work will be the deciding factor in his availability this weekend, coach Ken Whisenhunt said. But Wells is confident he's going to play. "Definitely, without a doubt," Wells said. Sitting out has been "terrible," said Wells, who thinks he can add a lot to the offense. "I think this"
Beanie Wells a question mark; Early Doucet is out
September 16
Arizona Republic
 
"With numerous personnel changes this year, coach Ken Whisenhunt has talked about how excited he is to see younger players take on new roles. But two of those players, running back Beanie Wells and receiver Early Doucet, are struggling through injuries. Wells did some individual work in practice Wednesday at Arizona State's indoor facility, Whisenhunt said, and Wells hopes to do more Thursday and Friday. He is hopeful of playing this weekend, but he said the same thing last week and missed the season opener. He has a bruised knee, the Cardinals said. If Wells can practice Thursday and recover without problems, then Whisenhunt will "feel comfortable about him playing Sunday" in Atlanta."
Beanie Wells may not play in opener
September 10
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells appears doubtful to play on Sunday against the Rams after missing his third consecutive day of practice on Thursday. Wells suffered a bruised right knee against the Redskins in the final preseason game, and while the injury is improving, it might be risky to play him in the season opener. "What concerns me is I don't want this to be something in Week 12, or Week 13 or Week 14 that you're having issues with," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Whisenhunt thinks the Cardinals are deep enough at running back to survive without Wells, who led the team in rushing last year as a rookie despite not starting. Starter Tim Hightower and backup LaRod Stephens-Howling are the only"
Beanie Wells may not play on Saturday
August 11
Arizona Republic
 
"Running back Beanie Wells practiced Tuesday, a day after suffering bruised ribs, but he's questionable for Saturday's preseason game against the Texans. No fractures or other damage were found, but Wells has had some swelling. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said it's too soon to determine whether Wells will play Saturday but Wells is lobbying to practice this week and play. Wells suffered the injury when he was hit by safety Hamza Abdullah. Players were wearing pads, and even though there was no tackling in the drill, Whisenhunt had no problem with Abdullah's hit "I don't blame Hamza because earlier in practice Beanie had come through and lowered his shoulder and knocked the crap out of a DB"
Cardinals running back Beanie Wells injures ribs
August 10
Arizona Republic
 
"Cardinals running back Beanie Wells suffered a rib injury during the second of two Monday practices. It was unclear how much time, if any, Wells would miss. With about 45 minutes remaining in practice, Wells took a handoff, went wide to the right side and was hit by safety Hamza Abdullah. Wells stayed on the ground for several minutes until helped to his feet by training staff. He was escorted to a golf cart and taken off the field for an examination. "I don't know where I hit him but right now I just hope and I pray that Beanie's going to be OK," Abdullah said. The Cardinals released a statement that said Wells had a CT scan that showed no fractures. The statement also said Wells is sore"
Saints coveted Cardinals' Beanie Wells in NFL draft
January 16
Arizona Republic
 
"During his conference call with members of the Arizona media earlier this week, Saints head coach Sean Payton went out of his way to praise Cardinals rookie running back Beanie Wells. He mentioned, among other things, that in addition to Wells possibly being a key factor in Saturday's game, that the first-round pick out of Ohio State was coveted by the Saints. "Beanie is someone we really liked coming out of Ohio State and we made a number of attempts, in fact, to try to trade back into Round 1 tohim," Payton said. "It's always interesting to see your grades, your grade on rookies, first- and second-year guys, to see how they go on and play. "He's certainly one of the young players that's"
Beanie Wells comes up big in clutch for Cardinals
December 21
Arizona Republic
 
"Beanie Wells was preparing to do several postgame interviews when wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald shouted across the locker room. "Take off that do-rag!" he said. "That's not how you want to look in front of the cameras." "I was planning on it," Wells said. Wells revealed his true self for the cameras, just like he did on the field for Detroit on Sunday. The Lions didn't like what they saw. This Beanie Wells didn't turn over the ball and ran for more than 100 yards for the first time in his NFL career. His biggest plays came when the Cardinals needed him most. After the Lions tied the game at 17 late in the third quarter, the Cardinals capped their next drive with an 18-yard Wells"
Wells has deep reservoir of talent
November 16
East Valley Tribune
 columnist Scott Bordow
"Wells certainly got the star treatment after Arizona's 31-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks Sunday. As photographers backpedaled to shoot him trotting off the field, several teammates ran up and patted him on the shoulder pads. It was a Welcome-to-the-NFL moment, recognition for a second half in which he rushed for two touchdowns and 75 of his 85 yards. Tim Hightower may still be the starter on Sundays, but that's just a notation on the stat sheet. Wells has become the Cardinals' No. 1 back and to watch him now is to wonder how 30 teams could pass on him in last April's NFL draft. "I think we all see why we drafted him when we did and … the power, strength and explosion he brings to the"