Ellington, an unrestricted free agent, believes he's currently in the best physical shape he's been in since his rookie year, David Shelton of The Charleston Post Courier reports.

Analysis: The 29-year-old has spent much of his career battling injuries, though he's still managed to play at least 10 games in each of his five NFL seasons. Likely just a pass-catching specialist at this point in his career, Ellington is hoping for a chance to compete for a roster spot. The free-agent market hasn't been friendly to passing-down backs, with Charles Sims settling for $200,000 guaranteed while Shane Vereen and Lance Dunbar also remain unsigned.

Ellington had two carries for five yards and six catches on nine targets for 72 yards in four games with the Texans.

Analysis: Ellington began the 2017 season as a pass-catching specialist for the Cardinals and had some productive games early. His name was mentioned as a possible fill-in when David Johnson suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 1. However, the Cardinals went to great lengths to avoid using Ellington in the RB rotation. The 28-year-old was eventually released and landed with the Texans for the final weeks of the season. There were opportunities for Ellington as a receiver in Houston due to…read more

Ellington was active but did not play a single snap in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars.

Analysis: Ellington logged 11 touches over the last two games but had no such opportunities in Sunday's blowout with Alfred Blue having season highs in touches and rushing yards. The 28-year-old was a low-value option prior to Week 15 and now has another tough matchup against the Steelers defense this week.

Ellington (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars after practicing fully Friday.

Analysis: The same applies to Alfred Blue (concussion), so Ellington is in line to have have some company in the Texans' backfield mix behind starter Lamar Miller (knee). In a backup time-share, neither Ellington nor Blue represent high-percentage fantasy plays against the Jaguars defense, which has allowed just six rushing TDs through 13 games.

Ellington (knee) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Analysis: With Alfred Blue (concussion) practicing fully Wednesday, Ellington could have some company in the Texans' backup RB mix behind Lamar Miller in Week 15. Neither Ellington nor Blue represent high-percentage fantasy plays against the 9-4 Jaguars on Sunday, in any case.

Ellington had three carries for six yards and caught one of two targets for an additional 16 yards in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: With Alfred Blue (concussion) inactive, Ellington moved up to second on the depth chart, but a banged-up offensive line with guys playing out of position was unable to create running room for either Ellington or starter Lamar Miller. With Houston running backs averaging less than three yards per carry (20 carries, 59 yards), the game plan shifted to the pass. Ellington's status for Week 15 against the Jaguars depends on Blue's recovery.

Ellington rushed twice for negative four yards while catching five of six targets for 56 yards in Sunday's 24-13 loss to Tennessee.

Analysis: Ellington saw snaps at wide receiver in his Houston debut with Braxton Miller (concussion) and Bruce Ellington (hamstring) exiting early. The running back's value comes primarily from his contributions catching the ball, as Ellington's totaled 353 receiving yards compared to just 49 rushing yards in nine appearances between the Cardinals and Texans this season.

Ellington is inactive for Monday night's game against the Ravens.

Analysis: Ellington's ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield could lead to him working in a complementary role behind Lamar Miller once he's more up to speed with the Houston offense, but Monday night at least, Alfred Blue will continue to back up Miller.

The Texans claimed Ellington off waivers Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Let go by the Cardinals after he was a healthy inactive for Arizona's loss Sunday to the Texans, Ellington will stick around in Houston to fortify a backfield that lost rookie running back D'Onta Foreman (Achilles) to a season-ending injury in the contest. Though he doesn't fit the power-back profile Foreman filled, Ellington is an adept pass catcher out of the backfield, a skill that should make him a fair complement to lead runner Lamar Miller. Ellington will have to get up to speed with the…read more

Released Monday

The Cardinals released Ellington on Monday, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Ellington caught 23 passes for 210 yards during a three-game stretch in Weeks 3-5, but his productivity largely was a symptom of shortcomings with the Arizona offense. He faded from relevance shortly after the team traded for Adrian Peterson, ultimately landing on the inactive list for Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Texans. Ellington could get a look elsewhere as a potential passing-down specialist. He showed some promise early in his career, but he's never had much luck staying healthy and seems…read more

Ellington (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Houston, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Head coach Bruce Arians has made Ellington a healthy scratch, allowing Kerwynn Williams, Elijhaa Penny and D.J. Foster to serve as potential change-of-pace options to Adrian Peterson.

Ellington played 43 of 80 offensive snaps during Thursday's 22-16 loss to the Seahawks en route to two carries for four yards and one touchdown and three receptions (on six targets) for 26 yards.

Analysis: In his return from a one-game absence Week 10, Ellington managed just 14 of the Cardinals' 77 offensive snaps, receiving two touches (both catches) in the process. On Thursday, he actually handled seven more snaps on offense than starting RB Adrian Peterson. Of course, Peterson was a workhorse on the ground with 21 rushes for 29 yards, and will typically contain Ellington primarily to pass-catching duty. On the season, Ellington is averaging 4.1 catches on 6.3 targets for 37.1 yards per game,…read more

Ellington played 14 of 77 defensive snaps during Sunday's 20-10 win at San Francisco.

Analysis: Limited in practice in advance of the game, Ellington's usage wasn't a surprise in the least. Moreover, with Adrian Peterson taking on a ridiculous 37 carries, Ellington was relegated to a change-of-pace option, reeling in two of three passes for 14 yards. The preceding development doesn't bode well for many touches in the future, but Ellington seems to be healthier than he has in weeks following a full walk-through Monday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Because current…read more

Ellington (quadriceps) is listed as active Sunday at San Francisco, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Held out Week 7 due to a quad injury, Ellington followed up the Cardinals' bye with three limited practices. The activity was enough to clear him for his first action since Week 6, but the presence of Adrian Peterson clouds any potential contribution on the ground. Having said that, Ellington should serve as a safety valve for Drew Stanton in the passing attack.

Ellington (quadriceps), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, will play in the contest, a source informed Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Analysis: Ellington missed the Cardinals' last game in Week 7 against the Rams, but with a bye week to heal up from the quad injury, it looks as though the running back will be ready to go Sunday. Though the Oct. 10 acquisition of Adrian Peterson has resulted in fewer snaps and carries for Ellington, the Clemson product still ranks as head coach Bruce Arians' preferred pass catcher out of the backfield. That may allow Ellington to retain some appeal in deeper PPR settings, but it may be hard to justify…read more

Ellington (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Analysis: Ellington was a limited participant at practice Friday for the third consecutive day, resulting him earning a questionable designation for the Cardinals' second game in a row. With the team coming off a bye to give the veteran running back an additional week to heal up from the injury, Ellington's chances of playing Sunday would appear much greater than in the Week 7 game against the Rams, for which he was inactive. Ellington won't be in store for a major role behind lead back Adrian Peterson…read more

Ellington (quadriceps) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Ellington was also limited during the Cardinals' first practice of the week Wednesday, but the expectation remains that he'll be able to suit up Sunday against San Francisco with Arizona coming off a bye. Even if that's the case, Ellington isn't expected to see much work outside of obvious passing downs, as Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin implied that the team intends to lean heavily on an Adrian Peterson-led ground game in Week 9 with Drew Stanton set to make his first start of…read more