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Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells perhaps got one of the best birthday presents he could ask for. Wells, who turned 24 today, was taken off the physically-unable-to-perform list and is available to start practicing with the team. Wells has missed all of training camp, and already missed the Cardinals first preseason game last Sunday, when they took on the New Orleans Saints in the pro football Hall of Fame Game.
Wells has been rehabbing his right knee ever since he had surgery on it January 24. It was never disclosed what exactly the surgery was for, but it was believed to be more than a cleanup procedure, which was originally disclosed. The surgery was arthroscopic in nature. Wells had an issue with his knee ever since week 7 of the 2011 season, but waited until the off-season to have the surgery. It was the second knee surgery for Wells since he became a pro in 2009, as he also had a torn meniscus repaired in September of 2010.
The team had the day off yesterday after the 17-10 loss in the Hall of Fame game. Wells participated in his first team practice this morning, which was a team walk-through, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.
Beanie Wells taking part in walk through. Means he's off PUP list.
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) August 7, 2012#CardsCamp
It will still take some time before Wells gets his legs under him and is game-ready. It is assumed that with the short week, he will not be available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs this Friday. He should be ready to play in the Cardinals third exhibition game on August 17, the Cardinals first home game of the season, against the Oakland Raiders.
Although he was hampered for half the season last year, Wells did rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his professional career. Wells played in 14 of the 16 regular season games and rushed for 1,047 yards, with an average of 4.3 yards per carry. This season, Wells is expected to share responsibility with Ryan Williams, who is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon that kept him out of his entire rookie season last year. The Cardinals are hoping that both Wells and Williams will be ready by the first game this season, and that they will both play an integral part in the success of the Cardinals running game this year.
Beanie Wells looks to finally have recovered enough from his off-season surgery that he has been activated, and is ready to start practicing with his team. He couldn't have asked for much more of a gift than that on his birthday.