Two days after releasing the oft-injured Beanie Wells, the Arizona Cardinals have reached a one-year deal with free agent running back Rashard Mendenhall, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Selected out of Illinois by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft, Mendenhall missed most of his rookie season with a shoulder injury before assuming the lead back role in the Steelers' backfield from 2009 through 2011. Over that span, Mendenhall ran for 3,309 yards with 29 touchdowns, establishing career highs in 2010 with 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns. Mendenhall was well on his way towards a third consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2011 when he suffered a torn ACL in a 13-9 win over the Cleveland Browns in the regular season finale. Mendenhall's injury kept him out of the first month of the 2012 regular season and in six games, including four starts, he ran for 182 yards on 51 attempts. Mendenhall struggled with ball security and was slated to be inactive for a Dec. 9 home game against the San Diego Chargers. Mendenhall did not show up for the game and was suspended by the team for one week. The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Mendenhall will compete with 2011 second-round pick Ryan Williams for carries in the Cardinals' offense. Williams, who has battled knee and shoulder injuries over his first two seasons in the NFL, averaged just 2.8 yards per carry last season, so Mendenhall has a legitimate shot to earn a starting role and perhaps cash in on the 2014 free agent market.
Ravens release SS Bernard Pollard in latest salary purge
Strong safety Bernard Pollard has been released by the Baltimore Ravens, the latest move driven by the Super Bowl champion's offseason salary cap purge. Pollard announced his departure Wednesday on Twitter, writing, ''Well Ravens Nation. it's been fun. My time in Baltimore is done.'' The 28-year-old Pollard signed a three-year extension with Baltimore last season, but his release saves the Ravens an estimated $1 million against the salary cap. Pollard played two years with Baltimore. Last season, he had 71 tackles and an interception despite playing much of the year with six broken ribs. He is the fifth player to leave the Ravens over the last two weeks, following guard Bobbie Williams, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe.
Ravens release SS Bernard Pollard in latest salary purgeStrong safety Bernard Pollard has been released by the Baltimore Ravens, the latest move driven by the Super Bowl champion's offseason salary cap purge. Pollard announced his departure Wednesday on Twitter, writing, ''Well Ravens Nation. it's been fun. My time in Baltimore is done.'' The 28-year-old Pollard signed a three-year extension with Baltimore last season, but his release saves the Ravens an estimated $1 million against the salary cap. Pollard played two years with Baltimore. Last season, he had 71 tackles and an interception despite playing much of the year with six broken ribs. He is the fifth player to leave the Ravens over the last two weeks, following guard Bobbie Williams, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe.
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