In a blog explaining his retirement, free agent Rashard Mendenhall said his plan now is to "travel the world and write!"

Mendenhall's full explanation of why he's hanging it up after just six seasons at age 26 can be accessed at the link below. "Having to fight through waves and currents of praise and criticism, but mostly hate. I can't even count how many times I've been called a 'dumb n-----'," he wrote. Mendy also mentioned the fantasy world. "Practice non-participants are reported throughout the week for predicted fantasy value; and success and failure for skill players is measured solely in stats and fantasy points. This is a very different model of football than the one I grew up with," he said.

Rashard Mendenhall has officially decided to retire.

In a post he wrote for the Huffington Post, free agent Rashard Mendenhall hinted he could retire.

"...the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead," Mendenhall wrote. Mendenhall battled toe and recurring knee issues last season with the Cardinals and averaged just 3.2 YPC. Take away a 28-yard run against the 49ers in Week 17, Mendenhall's longest run on the season was 15 yards. His explosion has been sapped. The Cardinals reportedly haven't closed the door on re-signing him, but coach Bruce Arians recently made it clear that Andre Ellington will be the No. 1 back. Mendenhall turns 27 in June.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed 10 times for 47 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the 49ers.

Mendenhall's 12 touches were even with Andre Ellington's 12. That's the way it was for much of this season as Bruce Arians fed his boy from their Pittsburgh despite his lack of big-play ability. Mendy heads to unrestricted free agency with 217 carries for 687 yards (3.16 YPC) and eight touchdowns to go with 18 catches for 134 more yards while playing in 15 games. If the Cardinals know what's good for them, they'll watch someone else pay Mendenhall and give lead-back duties to Ellington.

Rashard Mendenhall (finger) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Mendenhall was limited in practice Wednesday with a finger injury, but it's not a major concern. He'll continue to handle all short-yardage and red-zone work in a committee with Andre Ellington.

Rashard Mendenhall (finger) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

The finger injury is not expected to affect his Week 17 availability.

Rashard Mendenhall was added to the Cardinals' injury report on Thursday, getting in a limited session with a finger issue.

Mid-week additions to the injury report are rarely good news, but there's no reason to worry in Mendenhall's case. It's a minor injury the Cardinals are simply trying to manage ahead of Sunday's showdown with the Seahawks. Mendenhall will be a touchdown-dependent RB2 in what figures to be a low-scoring game.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 41 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries in Week 14 against the Rams.

Mendenhall wasn't a factor in the passing game. He kicked off the scoring with a three-yard touchdown plunge on the opening drive. Mendenhall out-carried Andre Ellington 17-11, but Ellington's return to the lineup predictably had a drain on Mendenhall's potential workload. Mendenhall will be a mere flex option next week against the Titans.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed 18 times for 76 yards in Sunday's Week 13 loss at Philadelphia.

With Andre Ellington (knee) sidelined, Mendenhall got more work than usual. And for the second straight week, he actually ran impressively as he ran decisively through holes. However, he got stuffed on a goal-line chance in the fourth quarter and wasn't even targeted in the pass game, leaving fantasy owners without much to chew on. Mendy will be a mere weak flex against the Rams in Week 14 whether Ellington returns or not.

Coach Bruce Arians said Rashard Mendenhall "looked like himself" in Sunday's win over the Colts.

Mendenhall topped 50 rushing yards for the first time since Week 2, carrying 13 times for 54 yards with a score against the Colts. "He looked healthy like he did back in training camp," Arians said. "I was really glad to see that, and no better time. I thought he had, by far, his best game." Arians sticks with Mendy even when he's struggling, so we know he'll be the feature back against the Eagles in Week 13. Expect another 12-15 touches.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries in Week 12 against the Colts.

Mendenhall and Andre Ellington combined for 104 yards and the one score on 23 carries, as they had no issues finding running room against Indy's leaky defense in the blowout win. Mendenhall added one catch for 24 yards. His touchdown came from five yards away when he beat Antoine Bethea to the corner of the end zone. Mendenhall had another touchdown on a similar play taken away in the fourth quarter due to a holding penalty. His 54 yards on the ground were the most he's posted since Week 2. Mendenhall is merely a weak flex option. He gets the Eagles' underrated run defense in Week 13.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed 13 times for 14 yards and a touchdown in Arizona's Week 11 win over the Jaguars, adding three catches for 13 yards.

Coach Bruce Arians said there's "no doubt" Rashard Mendenhall remains his starter.

Mendenhall is averaging 3.07 YPC on the season and lost a brutal fourth-quarter fumble in the Week 10 win over the Texans. But Arians' faith in his former pupil from Pittsburgh isn't waning even though Andre Ellington is averaging 7.18 YPC and hasn't lost a fumble this season. Arians on Ellington's 13 Week 10 touches: "I think it's right where it needs to be. He had plenty again today."

Rashard Mendenhall rushed 13 times for 42 yards and caught a nine-yard pass in the Cardinals' Week 10 win over the Texans.

He also lost a fumble deep in Arizona's own zone that the Texans easily turned into a touchdown pass to Andre Johnson. Coach Bruce Arians expressed confidence in Mendenhall after the game, but he remains a committee partner with Andre Ellington (13 touches) behind poor run blocking. View Mendenhall as BenJarvus Green-Ellis West when the Cardinals take on Jacksonville in Week 11.

Rashard Mendenhall is active for Week 10 against the Texans.

As expected, Mendenhall is good to play through his turf toe injury. We still anticipate Andre Ellington receiving more touches in this game. Arizona's Week 10 inactives are WR Brittan Golden, QB Ryan Lindley, RB Ryan Williams, LB Dontay Moch, G Earl Watford, TE Kory Sperry, and DE Ronald Talley.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians confirmed Friday Rashard Mendenhall (toe) will start in Week 10 against the Texans.

We always expected Mendenhall to get the "start" out of veteran deference, but are tentatively expecting Andre Ellington to out-touch Mendenhall after his pre-bye blowup game. Mendenhall would be a weak flex option against Houston.

Rashard Mendenhall (toe) participated in Friday's Cardinals practice.

Mendenhall will be active for Week 10 against the Texans, but isn't much of a fantasy option. Expect Andre Ellington to get more touches going forward.

Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin confirmed the team expects Rashard Mendenhall (turf toe) to return for Week 10.

It's the first time we've heard Mendenhall's injury officially referred to as "turf toe," but that's what almost every nagging toe injury is. It can be an extremely painful issue to play through. Interestingly, Goodwin, perhaps inadvertently, linked Mendenhall's return to Andre Ellington's Week 8 blow up. "After Andre's last performance, I'm sure (Mendenhall) is ready to go." It suggests Mendenhall isn't necessarily returning because he feels better. Mendenhall is a desperation FLEX option.

Rashard Mendenhall (toe) remained limited on Thursday.

Mendenhall is expected to be active for Sunday's game against the Texans. Averaging just 3.05 yards per carry, Mendy will be a barely-there FLEX option as Andre Ellington continues to take on a more important role.

Rashard Mendenhall (toe) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Mendenhall has been practicing all week with the Cardinals coming off their bye week. Coach Bruce Arians recently said Mendenhall looked "very, very good." Mendenhall has been terrible this season and is barely on the flex radar.