ARLINGTON, Texas – David Johnson will command the vast majority of running back snaps when the regular season begins in two weeks.
The All-Pro sat out the 27-3 preseason win over the Cowboys on Sunday night, so Chase Edmonds and T.J. Logan took the opportunity to show that the Cardinals have some intriguing break-in-case-of-emergency options behind him.
"God forbid David gets banged up, but we just know it's a very long season," Logan said. "Whenever our numbers are called, me and Chase, we're going to come in and try to make something happen for the team."
Edmonds found out Friday that he would be making his first career NFL start, and admitted the "Sunday Night Football" hoopla had him a bit amazed. It didn't show, as the fourth-round pick carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards, including a 28-yard scamper.
"The first thing that went in my head is like, 'Man, you're living your dream,'" Edmonds said. "'There's nothing to be nervous about. There's nothing to be anxious about. Be who you are and do what got you here.'"
Logan put up even more impressive numbers. He carried the ball six times for 86 yards, highlighted by a 59-yard touchdown run. Logan followed fullback Elijhaa Penny into a hole and then used his blazing speed to scream past the Dallas defense.
"I stumbled a little bit so I wasn't able to look up and see the scoreboard with the guys behind me," Logan said. "I was like, 'I've got to press it.'"
There was some unfavorable news regarding the position group. The versatile D.J. Foster injured his knee on kickoff coverage in the first quarter and had to be carted off the field. Coach Steve Wilks was unsure about the severity of the injury but expects to have an update on Monday.
ROSEN DOESN'T PLAY
Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen threw passes in warmups but didn't play after hitting his thumb on a helmet in practice on Monday. Wilks said he didn't want Rosen to aggravate the injury and also wanted to see Mike Glennon after the veteran missed last week with a forearm injury.
Rosen's status for Thursday's preseason finale against the Broncos is undetermined.
"We'll re-evaluate it this week and determine whether or not I want him to play in that last preseason game," Wilks said.
Linebacker Arthur Moats left the game with a knee injury. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald didn't play, but like Johnson, it was to keep him healthy. Cornerback Brandon Williams sat out for an undisclosed reason.
SPECIAL TEAMS EXCELLENCE
The Cardinals' special teams has been an issue in recent seasons but looked fantastic against the Cowboys under new coach Jeff Rodgers. The unit recovered a pair of muffed punts, as linebacker Dennis Gardeck pounced on one early in the game and wide receiver Trent Sherfield jumped on another in the end zone to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
"The ball was popping out everywhere, and I didn't want to jump on the pile because I knew it was going to pop back out," Sherfield said. "I just waited for it. It was a blessing to land on it in the end zone."
Andy Lee averaged 44.5 yards per punt with a long of 67 and dropped four inside the 20. Cornerback Bene' Benwikere did a great job saving a punt from becoming a touchback, and the Cardinals downed it at the Dallas 7.
Wilks said it was a "phenomenal" effort by special teams.
WILKS MOURNS LOSS OF MCCAIN
Wilks opened his postgame press conference by sending condolences to the family of John McCain, the longtime Arizona senator and former presidential candidate who died on Saturday at the age of 81.
"We lost, definitely, a hero," Wilks said. "He has done so much for the state of Arizona, but most importantly, for this country. When you look at a time where there is so much strife between political parties – Democrat and Republican – the one thing that he always did, he always he put Americans first. That's the one thing you loved about him. He will definitely be truly missed."
Images of the "Sunday Night Football" affair in Arlington, Texas
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
CB Patrick Peterson returns his interception for a touchdown.
Cardinals fans in Dallas
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) looks on before a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (55) runs up field during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
WR Larry Fitzgerald in warmups
RB Chase Edmonds
Arizona Cardinals tight end Gabe Holmes (85) warms up before an preseason NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Andre Smith (71), offensive guard Justin Pugh (67) and center Mason Cole (64) line up for a play during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory as Cardinals' D.J. Humphries (74) defends in the first half of an preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Lance Lenoir (14) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) stare down each other after a punt during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) carries the ball during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) recovers a fumbled punt-return in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018. Cowboys linebacker Justin March-Lillard (53) moves in on the play.
QB Mike Glennon
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) puts on his helmet before a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Corey Willis (83) before an preseason NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
CB Patrick Peterson forces a fumble
S Budda Baker intercepts a pass
Cardinals CB Bene' Benwikere on punt coverage
Cardinals K Phil Dawson on the field goal try
The Cardinals defense celebrates another takeaway
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds, left, is wrapped up by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) after a long run.
Cowboys running back Rod Smith is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Antoine Bethea as defensive back Patrick Peterson moves in.
S Rudy Ford
RB T.J. Logan scrambles for a TD
The Cardinals defense celebrates
CB Patrick Peterson forces a fumble
Arizona running back T.J. Logan carries the ball for a 59-Yard touchdown during the second half.
DE Cap Capi celebrates a strip-sack and fumble recovery
DE Vontarrius Dora and DE Siupeli Anau combine for the sack
Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson during the first half.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory (94) pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9).
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Deone Bucannon reacts after dropping Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush.
Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon looks to throw.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk carries as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) defends.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks looks on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.
Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds carries as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith defends.
Arizona defensive back Jamar Taylor lines up against the Dallas Cowboys offense.
Dallas linebacker Damien Wilson tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Little.
Cardinals quarterback Charles Kanoff throws under pressure during the second half.
Cowboys wide receiver Lance Lenoir looks for room against Cardinals cornerback Deatrick Nichols.
Dallas wide receiver Michael Gallup can't get to the ball as Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson defends.
Arizona running back T.J. Logan runs past Cowboys linebacker Justin March-Lillard.
Cardinals punter Andy Lee punts during the second half.
Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis tackles Cardinals wide receiver Brice Butler.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk is chased by Cowboys linebacker Joe Thomas.
Dallas tight end Rico Gathers is upended by Cardinals cornerback Deatrick Nichols during the second half.
Arizona offensive guard John Wetzel (73), Josh Allen (66) and center Evan Boehm (70) block during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cardinals running back T.J. Logan fields a punt during the second half.
Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hodges forces a fumble from Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin.
Arizona center Daniel Munyer.
Cardinals defensive end Vontarrius Dora tackles Dallas Cowboys quarterback Mike White during the second half.
Arizona running back T.J. Logan looks for room to run.
Cardinals defensive back Travell Dixon celebrates an interception against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half.
