Cardinals Trade Ottis Anderson to Giants for Draft Choices

The New York Giants acquired running back Ottis Anderson, the 11th-leading rusher in National Football League history, from the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday for two undisclosed 1987 draft choices.

Anderson led St. Louis in rushing his first six seasons before being slowed by a foot injury last year. He set a club record with 1,605 yards as a rookie in 1979 and an NFL record for rookies with nine 100-yard games. He has 7,999 yards in 1,859 carries.

Anderson, 29, is also a talented receiver, having caught 51 passes in 1981, 54 in 1983 and 70 in 1984.

His foot injury and the emergence of running back Stump Mitchell made him expendable. Anderson is expected to back up halfback Joe Morris and play on passing downs with the Giants.