Cardinals RB Marlon Mack suffers torn Achilles for second time in career

Marlon Mack is no stranger to traumatic injuries throughout his career in the National Football League. Unfortunately, earlier this week, he suffered another one, tearing his Achilles for the second time. He suffered the injury in Tuesday’s practice with the Arizona Cardinals, several online reports mentioned.

Mack had just signed with the Cardinals on August 4th.

The Arizona coaches reported that it’s not the same Achilles that he tore in 2020, but it’s likely a career-ending injury for Mack, who showed flashes of greatness during his time in the National Football League. His best two seasons came with the Indianapolis Colts, when he ran for over 900 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons (2018 and 2019).

Mack simply hasn’t been the same type of player since he suffered his first torn Achilles early in the 2020 campaign. Those types of injuries are known to be particularly devastating for running backs. And unfortunately for Mack, he’s followed the trend. Just one Achilles injury usually ends a running back’s career. Two is even worse.

Thus far in his NFL career, he’s had 583 carries for 2,568 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. As a receiver, he’s hauled in 65 total catches for 547 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

It’s exactly why running backs are in such a contentious battle with NFL owners over the way their contracts are structured. Simply surviving in the National Football League as a running back is an accomplishment. The position takes an extreme amount of wear and tear and that makes their careers even shorter than other positions in the league.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Mack in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the No. 143 overall selection. He became the first running back ever to be drafted from South Florida and the 15th running back selected in that draft class. He also became the 28th USF player selected in the history of the NFL Draft.

In May of 2017, he signed a four-year deal worth $2.81 million with the Colts.

During his time with the South Florida Bulls, Mack enjoyed a prolific career there, rushing for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons (2014, 2015, and 2016). He was named AAC Rookie of the Year in 2014 and he also earned first-team All-AAC honors in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Once he hung up his cleats there, Mack had 586 carries for 3,609 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns. As a receiver, he hauled in 65 total catches for 498 receiving yards and one touchdown. He still ranks as the Bulls’ second all-time leading rusher.

As a high school recruit, Mack was ranked as a three-star prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2014 cycle. He had over a dozen scholarship offers, but ultimately settled on the South Florida Bulls.