Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Rookie Leki Fotu and newcomer Markus Golden both are thrust into the starting lineup.
The Arizona Cardinals released their depth chart for Week 9 as they prepare to host the Miami Dolphins this weekend. There are a few changes, as linebacker Devon Kennard and cornerback Byron Murphy were placed on the COVID-19 reserve and defensive lineman Zach Allen and linebacker Isaiah Irving on injured reserve.
Read on for the changes.
Gaskin leads the Dolphins in rushing as is tied for the team lead in catches.
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to be without starting running back Kenyan Drake in Week 9. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 that is expected to sideline him a while and, while head coach Kliff Kingsbury said the injury is less severe than expected, it is unlikely Drake will be able to play this week. The Cardinals’ Week 9 opponent, the Miami Dolphins, will also be without their top running back as well.
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, running back Myles Gaskin will miss three games with a sprained MCL in his knee.
Per source, reason Dolphins acquired RB today is Myles Gaskin has sprained MCL and expected to miss three games
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 3, 2020
Miami traded for running back DeAndre Washington before the league’s deadline on Tuesday.
Gaskin was the Dolphins’ workhorse this season. He led the team with 100 carries and 387 rushing yards, and is tied for the team lead with 30 receptions.
The Dolphins will not likely have Washington available to play against the Cardinals because of COVID testing protocols, so Miami will have to rely on Matt Breida and Jordan Howard to lead the rushing attack.
Breida, the former San Francisco 49er, has only carried the ball 37 times this season for 128 yards. He has played in only 23% of the team’s offensive snaps.
Howard has 18 carries for 14 yards but has scored three times, leading Miami in rushing touchdowns. He has played in only 29 snaps all season.
The Dolphins will play a rookie quarterback with only one NFL start against the Cardinals and also be without its top offensive weapon.
[vertical-gallery id=445367]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
DC Vance Joseph expects Amukamara will play well once his number is called.
The Arizona Cardinals, having lost cornerback Byron Murphy to the COVID-19 reserve, could use some help at the position. That could be coming soon.
Veteran Prince Amukamara, signed to the practice squad on October 13, could be ready to contribute.
“I think Prince is close,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said last week. “He’s been on our practice squad about four of five weeks. He’s a very, very bright guy. He has played in games, so when his time is called, he’ll play well for us.”
He is one of four practice squad players the team has protected for Week 9.
If he is elevated to the active roster, it will be interesting to see what role he will have. Murphy’s absence leaves the Cardinals needing a slot cornerback and Amukamara has not really played in the slot in his career. Neither has starter Dre Kirkpatrick or recently signed De’Vante Bausby.
[vertical-gallery id=445367]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Arizona makes moves to prepare for their Week 9 game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Arizona Cardinals did not announce any roster moves on Tuesday but the NFL transaction report showed there was some action for the team on the practice squad. They released one player they recently signed and named their four protected practice squad players for the week.
Most of the cornerbacks on their roster are outside corners.
The Arizona Cardinals have used Byron Murphy as they slot cornerback all season. Because he was placed on the COVID-19 reserve, the team will need someone else when they take on the Miami Dolphins this weekend.
Who will play?
Most of the cornerbacks on the 53-man roster have little experience in the slot. Patrick Peterson stays outside, as does Dre Kirkpatrick. Recently signed De’Vante Bausby has really only played outside. Veteran Prince Amukamara, who is on the practice squad, has played outside his while career.
Kevin Peterson is a candidate, as is practice squad rookie Jace Whittaker, who was praised in training camp for his play in the slot.
The Cardinals could also move Budda Baker to the slot, where he played in 2018, allowing both Jalen Thompson and Deionte Thompson to play st safety in nickel packages.
Some have proposed that rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons could also do it. While he did it in college, the Cardinals would not want him trying to cover receivers. He might line up to cover a running back or tight end, but he likely would not do that against a receiver.
My guess is Peterson will get the first shot at it this week.
[vertical-gallery id=445367]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
There is the tiniest of chances one could return this week.
The Arizona Cardinals had two positive tests for the coronavirus over the weekend. As a result, linebacker Devon Kennard and cornerback Byron Murphy were placed on the COVID-19 reserve.
How long will they be on there?
Based on the protocols given to the league earlier this season, it depends on whether the players are symptomatic or asymptomatic.
The NFL last night sent to clubs COVID-19 protocols for 2020 training camp and preseason, including this detailed breakdown for handling individuals exposed to someone who tested positive: pic.twitter.com/bX7aQzMZTZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 4, 2020
If a player tests positive but is asymptomatic, he may return if it has been at least five days since the positive test and he has tested negative on two consecutive tests at least 24 hours apart. Then, it must be approved by the team doctor the league medical office.
Thus far, we do not know whether Kennard or Murphy are symptomatic or not.
It is different if they are symptomatic.
If that is the case, the player cannot return until it has been at least 10 days since the first symptoms and at least 72 hours since they last occurred. It must be approved by the league and also local regulations must be met as well.
If the positive tests happened Saturday, if Murphy or Kennard are asymptomatic, there is the smallest chance that one could be reinstated Friday or Saturday. However, being isolated from the team, they will not have been even present at practice to get mental reps or to know the game plan.
Cardinals fans should not get their hopes up about this weekend and it might not be next weekend either.
[listicle id=445381]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Williams possibly will be able to play for the first time since Week 1.
[jwplayer EJ17CZy2-ThvAeFxT]
The Arizona Cardinals announced some roster moves on Monday, none of which was a surprise, but it did reveal a question we all had. After the report two players had tested positive for the coronavirus, one player was known but the other was not.
It is cornerback Byron Murphy.
The Cardinals announced Murphy and linebacker Devon Kennard, who shared via social media he was one who tested positive, were both placed on the COVID-19 reserve while they recover. The move gives them two roster vacancies.
The Cardinals also designated tight end Maxx Williams for return from injured reserve, which allows him to practice. He has been out since after the season opener with an ankle injury. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is hopeful Williams will be able to play this weekend but he is considered day-to-day for now.
Arizona also announced tight end Evan Baylis, released from the 53-man roster last week, has re-signed to the practice squad.
[listicle id=445381]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Without Kennard in the lineup, it appears Haason Reddick and Markus Golden will start against the Dolphins.
[jwplayer JIMpPpvG-ThvAeFxT]
The Arizona Cardinals are one of the latest teams to be affected by the coronavirus. It was reported on Sunday that two players tested positive for COVID-19 over their bye.
Initially, it was not known who the players were.
One is now known after he revealed it on social media. Starting outside linebacker Devon Kennard is one of the players to test positive.
I learned that like many others, I have tested positive for Covid 19. Thankfully, I feel completely normal so far. Please keep my family & I in your prayers as we navigate this. I look forward to being back on the field w/my teammates as soon as I am cleared & it’s safe to do so!
— DK (@DevonKennard) November 2, 2020
He shares that he feels fine so far.
He will be placed on the COVID-19 reserve until he recovers and no longer tests positive. He presumably will miss at least the Cardinals’ Week 9 home game against the Miami Dolphins.
Already without Chandler Jones for the rest of the season because of a torn right biceps, the Cardinals will likely have Haason Reddick and recently acquired Markus Golden in the starting lineup this weekend.
[listicle id=445381]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Arizona is 5-2 both straight up and against the spread this season.
The Arizona Cardinals, coming off their bye week, will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 9. The Cardinals are 5-2 on the season and have won three games in a row. Miami is 4-3 but has also won three in a row, including wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
As expected, the Cardinals opened the week as favorites, according to BetMGM odds.
When odds were released on Sunday, the Cardinals were listed as five-point home favorites.
However, with the news that two Cardinals players tested positive for the coronavirus, BetMGM took the game off the board until more is known. At the time of publishing, it was not known which players tested positive.
The Cardinals are not only 5-2 in terms of wins and losses, they are also 5-2 against the spread. They are 3-0 when they are underdogs and 2-2 when favored.
In terms of total points, Arizona’s games have gone Under the total in six of seven games this season.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[vertical-gallery id=445367]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
Kliff Kingsbury: “We feel like, from where we started to where we are now, we’ve been very fortunate.”
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury in their overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7. It was reported he would miss “a few weeks” with torn ligaments in his ankle.
Thus far, he has not been placed on injured reserve and, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury, he is making good progress, although not necessarily enough for him to play in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins.
“He’s day-to-day,” Kingsbury told reporters Monday morning. “I know it looked more severe than it’s going to end up being, hopefully.”
The fact he was not placed on injured reserve, which would mean he would have to miss at least three weeks, suggests they believe he could be available as early as next week.
“He’s really made good progress but I’m not sure it will be enough to get him back this week,” Kingsbury said. “We feel like, from where we started to where we are now, we’ve been very fortunate.”
In the meantime, Chase Edmonds will handle starting duties and he will be backed up by a committee of Jonathan Ward, Eno Benjamin and perhaps D.J. Foster.
Through seven games this season, Drake has averaged 4.3 yards per carry on his 119 rushing attempts, gaining 512 yards with four touchdowns.
[vertical-gallery id=445367]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
