Packers 24, Cardinals 21: Takeaways and observations from the Thursday night loss

The Cardinals made several mistakes and still were one play away from winning the game.

The Arizona Cardinals failed to win their eighth straight game to start the season Thursday night, losing to the Green Bay Packers 24-21 at State Farm Stadium.

Both teams were shorthanded and it ended in dramatic fashion.

The Cardinals had the chance to win the game or at least tie it in the final seconds, but a miscommunication on the Cardinals’ final throw led to an interception instead of the game-winning touchdown or an incompletion to set up a field goal to send it to overtime.

What takeaways and observations can we take from the game?

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RB Jonathan Ward carted off field after huge collision

Ward might have lost consciousness making a huge hit on a kick return.

The Arizona Cardinals had a scary moment in the third quarter of their game against the Green Bay Packers. In the third quarter, after they pulled within three points with a James Conner two-yard touchdown run, running back Jonathan Ward tackled Packers returner Kylin Hill at the nine-yard line.

It was a huge collision and Ward got hurt.

His teammates were immediately concerned.

It appeared he might have lost consciousness. He had to be carted off the field.

On his way off the field, he gave the crowd a thumbs up.

He left to be evaluated for a concussion and for a neck injury. He had movement in all his extremities, so that was good news.

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WR DeAndre Hopkins exits game with hamstring injury

He had a 55-yard catch and did not return in the first half.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins entered the game questionable with a hamstring injury but was able to start the game. However, he might not finish it.

After catching a 55-yard pass that would have been a 61-yard touchdown had he not been flagged for grabbing the defender’s facemask, he did not return to the game in the first half.

He was seen on the sideline without his helmet and without his gloves in the second quarter, and also seen testing out his leg.

However, after that, it was announced in the press box that he injured his hamstring and was questionable to return.

Antoine Wesley replaced him in the lineup.

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Rookie LB Zaven Collins exits game with shoulder injury

He injured his right shoulder in the first quarter.

Arizona Cardinals rookie linebacker Zave Collins suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers.

On a 2nd-and-3, AJ Dillon rushed for 12 yards to pick up the first down. On the play, Collin landed hard on his right shoulder. He jogged off the field and was examined in the medical tent.

He was questionable to return, per a press box announcement.

He went to the locker room for evaluation and returned to the sideline.

Collins dealt with a should injury that limited him in practice last week.

Tanner Vallejo replaced him in the lineup.

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Cardinals-Packers Thursday night live scoring updates, highlights, injuries

Keep up with the game with our live updates!

The Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers on the only game being played Thursday night. It is the big stage and the bright lights. The Cardinals hope to improve to 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

They will have to do it without J.J. Watt and also with a third-string center. The Packers are shorthanded at receiver and at cornerback.

It should be a great game.

Below, we will give live updates of highlights, scoring plays and more.

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Cardinals call up 2 O-linemen, others ahead of game with Packers

They needed two linemen because of the injury to Max Garcia, which will keep him out of the lineup.

The Arizona Cardinals made some roster moves Thursday afternoon ahead of their Thursday battle against the Green Bay Packers. They made four additions from the practice squad.

They signed offensive lineman Zack Johnson to the roster. It was not an elevation. He will not revert to the practice squad after the game.

They elevated lineman Danny Isidora.


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With two linemen added to the roster, it was a sign that center Max Garcia was not going to be able to play. Garcia was ruled out and deactivated for the game because of an Achilles injury, which put Sean Harlow in the starting lineup.

Isidora’s elevation was a COVID-19 replacement. Defensive tackle Corey Peters is still on the COVID list.

They also elevated linebacker Joe Walker and defensive lineman Josh Mauro as standard elevations.

Mauro will get playing time on defense, as J.J. Watt is injured. Walker will play on special teams and could see a few snaps on defense as well. depending on the package.

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LB Preston Smith active, but no Davante Adams, Kevin King for Packers vs. Cardinals

The Packers will not have their top three receivers or their top two cornerbacks tonight.

The Green Bay Packers will be shorthanded offensively against the Arizona Cardinals. They will also be shorthanded defensively.

Wide receiver Davante Adams did not travel with the team and did not clear COVID protocols. He is currently on the COVID list. They also did not activate receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling from injured reserve, and Allen Lazard was ruled out for COVID protocols as well. None are technically on the active roster.

They will also not have cornerback Kevin King, who was questionable for the game with shoulder and back injuries. He is inactive for the Packers.


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Here is the full list.

  • LB Jaylon Smith
  • CB Kevin King
  • S Vernon Scott
  • LB La’Darius Hamilton
  • T Dennis Kelly
  • DL Jack Helfin

They do get edge rusher Preston Smith back in the lineup. He was questionable for the game but will suit and be in the lineup.

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WR DeAndre Hopkins active, C Max Garcia inactive for Cardinals vs. Packers

The Cardinals will have Sean Harlow, their third-string center, in the starting lineup against the Packers.

The Arizona Cardinals are almost set to kick off against the Green Bay Packers for their Week 8 matchup in State Farm Stadium. They have released their list of inactive players.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, questionable for the game because of a hamstring injury, is active, as expected. He will be in the starting lineup.

However, they will have their third-string center starting tonight. Max Garcia, who missed all week with an Achilles injury, was among the inactive players, meaning Sean Harlow will get the start. Starter Rodney Hudson is on injured reserve with a rib injury right now.


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Defensive end J.J. Watt, who needs shoulder surgery, is also inactive.

Here is the full list:

  • QB Chris Streveler
  • RB Eno Benjamin
  • WR Andy Isabella
  • C Max Garcia
  • DT Rashard Lawrence
  • DE J.J. Watt

Streveler has been inactive every game this season. Benjamin was active on Sunday to return kicks. Rondale Moore apparently will fill that role again. Isabella has only been active twice but has not played on offense this year.

Lawrence has a calf injury.

The Cardinals made roster moves earlier in the afternoon. They signed offensive lineman Zack Johnson from the practice squad and elevated lineman Danny Isidora, defensive lineman Josh Mauro and linebacker Joe Walker from the practice squad.

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J.J. Watt’s shoulder injury includes torn labrum, rotator cuff, biceps

It looks much less likely that before that he will be able to make a comeback before next season.

The Arizona Cardinals have lost defensive end J.J. Watt potentially for the rest of the season, as he needs surgery to repair a shoulder injury he sustained on Sunday against the Houston Texans in Week 7.

It isn’t a simple shoulder injury and it appears nearly impossible for him to return before the season’s end, even if the Cardinals can make a run deep into the postseason.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watt’s injury is actually a cluster of injuries and tears.

He did more than simply separate his shoulder. In addition to that, he tore his labrum, tore his biceps and tore his rotator cuff, and he played with those injuries, or at least played on the initial injury, leading to the more severe issues.

While he has had quick recoveries in the past, it seems highly unlikely he will be able to pull off something this unlikely.

The Cardinals begin the rest of the season without him Thursday night in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.


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This will make the fourth time in the last six seasons that Watt will end up on injured reserve.

If this is the end of his season, he finishes with 16 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, 10 QB hits, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.

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WR DeAndre Hopkins expected to play, barring no pregame setbacks

He is officially questionable for the game Thursday night against the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers will be without their three top receivers when they face the Arizona Cardinals Thursday night. The Arizona Cardinals’ No. 1 wideout, DeAndre Hopkins, enters the game questionable play with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice all week.

However, Hopkins is expected to play.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hopkins should be well enough to be in the lineup, provided there are no pregame setbacks with his hamstring.

Hopkins has not missed a game since joining the Cardinals and has only missed two games his entire career.


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Just having him in the lineup, even if he isn’t 100%, will make things difficult for the Packers, who are also without their top cornerback and have their next-best cornerback questionable for the game. It means they still have to pay attention to him, in addition to the other receivers on the field.

Hopkins has been targeted only 47 times this season and has 33 receptions for 420 yards, but he has scored seven touchdowns, one more than he scored all last season.

He loves the bright lights and usually plays his best ball in these moments.

It should be a fun one tonight.

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