Marlon Mack‘s latest opportunity to find a permanent NFL home has arrived. The veteran running back has signed with the Cardinals, per a team announcement. ESPN’s Josh Weinfus reports that it is a one-year deal.
Mack (who worked out with the Cardinals yesterday) proved to be a highly productive lead back in Indianapolis during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but an Achilles tear derailed his career. He initially joined the Texans last offseason in an attempt to find playing time, but he did not survive final roster cuts in the summer. That led him to join the 49ers while they were thin in the backfield.
The 27-year-old did not see any carries during his brief stint in the Bay Area, however. He was signed off the 49ers’ practice squad by the Broncos in October, in response to the season-ending loss of Javonte Williams. Mack was part of Denver’s efforts to add a number of contributors to their banged-up backfield, and he played six games as a Bronco.
Mack saw limited usage in Denver, but he averaged 5.3 yards per carry while scoring one touchdown on the ground and another through the air. He will now join a Cardinals backfield that could stand to add a veteran depth contributor. Not much is certain on the team’s RB depth chart aside from the fact that James Conner will once again handle a heavy workload in 2023.
The Cardinals also have Keaontay Ingram in the fold, but the 2022 sixth-rounder has missed time in training camp recently due to an injury. Corey Clement, who joined Arizona midway through the season last year, is also an option to carve out a depth role. The same is true of Ty’Son Williams and undrafted rookie Emari Demercado. Mack will use the remainder of training camp and the preseason to try and earn a 53-man roster spot behind Conner on the depth chart. To make room for Mack, long snapper Jack Coco was released.
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