The Cardinals, needing to help the running game, made a trade Tuesday with Oakland to acquire running back Troy Hambrick, along with defensive end Peppi Zellner, for a conditional 2005 draft pick.
Hambrick walked out of the Raiders camp this week unhappy with playing time. He comes to a team where he will have a chance to back up Emmitt Smith, the same thing Hambrick did in 2002 when both he and Smith were in Dallas. Hambrick rushed for 972 yards for the Cowboys last season before being released by Dallas this offseason.
Coach Dennis Green has not been enthused with the play of Josh Scobey and Damien Anderson as Smith’s backup since Marcel Shipp broke his leg and tore ankle ligaments earlier in training camp.
Zellner, another ex-Cowboy, played for Washington last season.
The Cardinals also put defensive end Fred Wakefield (broken foot) on injured reserve, ending his season, and released cornerback Dyshod Carter, linebacker Marcus Wilkins, defensive tackle Joe Tafoya and offensive lineman Raleigh Roundtree.
The Cardinals also claimed tackle Alan Reuber off waivers from Minnesota.
