The Cardinals have released Hughes.

EDGE Analysis

With their offseason training program kicking off this week, the Cardinals elected to open a pair of roster spots by releasing both Hughes and fellow RB Marion Grice. Both players had spent time on the Cardinals' practice squad this past season, but never appeared in a game. Going forward, Hughes will presumably be on the lookout for a team needing an extra body as training camp nears.

The Cardinals have cut Hughes, ESPN's Josina Anderson reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Hughes had been discussed as possible short-yardage option for the Cards, it looks like team will now head into the coming season with a backfield headed by Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson and David Johnson.

Hughes racked up five yards on one carry and 10 additional yards on one reception during Sunday's defeat in San Francisco. Hughes received a career-best three targets, while a fourth look (and subsequent second catch) was negated by a pass interference call on tight end John Carlson. On the season, Hughes made a contribution, albeit small on each occasion, in 10 of 16 games on his way to seven carries for 11 yards and eight receptions (on 12 targets) for 140 yards. Clearly, his pass-catching prowess was on display -- he ended the regular season second on the team with 17.5 YPC -- but he failed to emerge from a reserve role, even after Andre Ellington (hernia) was lost for the season in Week 13.

Hughes did not have any carries or targets in Thursday's 12-6 win over the Rams. According to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, Hughes played just six snaps, and Marion Grice logged just two. Kerwynn Williams had 17 touches (two receptions) on 34 snaps, with Stepfan Taylor recording 14 touches (all carries) on 28 snaps. While it's still worth keeping an eye on, the Arizona backfield will likely be led by Williams and Taylor in a tough Week 16 matchup with the Seahawks.

Hughes played 10 of the Cardinals' 69 offensive snaps during Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. In what was expected to be a committee approach behind Stepfan Taylor out of the backfield in Andre Ellington's (hernia) absence, coach Bruce Arians eventually admitted that the hot hand ruled the day in Week 14, allowing Kerwynn Williams to post 100 yards on 19 rushes. Hughes himself was contained to one carry for minus-yard yard and one catch for 36 yards, which was firmly behind Williams, Taylor (six runs for 19 yards), and Marion Grice (three rushes for six yards). On Monday, though, Arians announced that Taylor remains the starting running back, according to Darren Urban of the team's official site, meaning game-day matchups could ultimately determine who breaks out of Arizona's corps of running backs Thursday in St. Louis.

Hughes could be more involved out of the backfield, if Andre Ellington (hip) is limited or sidelined next Sunday versus the Chiefs, according to coach Bruce Arians, the Cardinals' official site reports. Ellington left Sunday's defeat in Atlanta due to a hip pointer, but Marion Grice (32 snaps) and Stepfan Taylor (nine) were the sole running backs used thereafter, according to FOX Sports 910 Phoenix. Nonetheless, a limited or absent Ellington could result in some work for Hughes, who has mostly been utilized as a receiver during his brief appearances this season, reeling in 6-of-8 targets for 94 yards.

Hughes (hamstring) is listed as active Sunday in Seattle, the Cardinals' official site reports. Hughes hasn't received more than 17 snaps in a single game this season, but his presence in the passing game has been felt of late. Over the last six games, he's totaled five receptions (on six targets) for 87 yards.

Hughes (hamstring) is probable for Sunday's game against Seattle. Hughes practiced all week, including a full practice Friday, so he'll be available Sunday. His exact role behind Andre Ellington isn't yet clear, but his 49-yard reception against Detroit last week implies that he has more explosiveness than Stepfan Taylor.

Hughes (hamstring) was limited in practice Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Even though Stepfan Taylor (calf) returned from a two-game absence this past Sunday, Hughes' workload really wasn't hindered, as he took on catch for 49 yards and one rush for two yards. Such a line isn't really of interest in anything but the deepest of league, especially behind the dual threat that is Andre Ellington (hip/foot).

Hughes took the field for 17 of the Cardinals' 67 offensive snaps during Sunday's win in Dallas, the FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports. Hughes garnered nearly double the snaps of fellow running back Marion Grice -- 17 versus nine -- but Grice managed to fend off Hughes in terms of touches, with five carries against one reception (on two targets), respectively. The breakdown of looks behind clear-cut No. 1 Andre Ellington isn't unexpected due to Hughes' stellar hands out of the backfield, as the latter has reeled in five of seven passes this season. During Stepfan Taylor's stay on the sideline due to a calf strain, which is expected to last 1-to-3 additional weeks, the preceding pecking order shouldn't deviate too much. However, Hughes' sparse usage doesn't inspire confidence in his potential to produce on a consistent basis.