Category: Cardinals vs. Panthers

Deionte Thompson, Curtis Riley to start at safety for Cardinals

T.J. Ward has not been on the team long enough to contribute.

The Arizona Cardinals will be without starting safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson this weekend against the Carolina Panthers. Baker had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. Thompson is on injured reserve currently with an ankle in injury. He is not eligible to come off until next week.

Chris Banjo, who started in place of Thompson the last two games, is also injured. He is not expected to play on Sunday.

That means two new starters. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told reporters on Friday it would be Deionte Thompson and Curtis Riley. Thompson is in his second season and Riley was signed last month.

“We feel good about that,” he said. “We have certain packages were we can put other guys at similar positions, but right now we feel very comfortable with those two guys who have been in camp with us and have run this system.”

Earlier in the week, Kliff Kingsbury said it was possible that rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons could play some safety, as he played the position in college.

Joseph would not say but Simmons very well could be one of the “other guys” he referred to.

The team added veteran T.J. Ward to the practice squad. Joseph said he wouldn’t be ready to play.

So against Carolina, they will roll with Thompson and Riley and publicly are confident.

“I think we are in good shape at safety.”

We will find out if that is actually the case.

[vertical-gallery id=444339]

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


The Cardinals seek first win over Panthers since 2013

The Cardinals are 4-10 against the Panthers in the regular season and 5-12 including the postseason.

The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Carolina Panthers this weekend on the road at Bank of America Stadium. The Cardinals are favored to win the game but have had their share of struggles against the Panthers over the years.

The Cardinals are 4-10 against the Panthers all-time in the regular season. They are 1-2 against the Panthers in the playoffs and have lost four straight games against them between the regular season and postseason.

Arizona has not won a game over the Panthers since 2013.

Last season, the Cardinals lost 38-20 to the Panthers as Kyle Allen threw four touchdown passes. The Panthers beat them 30-20 in 2016 as well.

The Panthers eliminated the Cardinals in the postseason following the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The last time the Cardinals won was when they sacked Cam Newton seven times and intercepted him three times in 2013 for a 22-6 win.

The Cardinals are 2-5 on the road against the Panthers in the regular season.

[vertical-gallery id=444339]

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


Cardinals add veteran safety T.J. Ward to practice squad

Ward is a two-time Pro Bowler and last played in 2017. He is 33 years old.

The Arizona Cardinals addressed the injury situation at safety with a practice squad signing on Thursday. The team announced the addition of former Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward to the practice squad. Ward had a workout earlier in the week.

Ward last played in 2017 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a Pro Bowler in 2013-2014.

He has played in 107 games and started 99 with the Buccaneers, Broncos and Browns in his NFL career. An eight-year veteran, Ward has 607 tackles (458 solo), eight interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 8.5 sacks and 44 pass breakups.

Because of new rules this season, teams can elevate two practice squad players at the end of the week, giving the team 55 players with which to build their 48-man game day roster.

With Budda Baker recovering from thumb surgery, Jalen Thompson on injured reserve and Chris Banjo dealing with a hamstring injury, Ward will likely be elevated on the weekend and could see some playing time.

To make room for him on the practice squad, the Cardinals cut offensive lineman Rick Leonard.

[vertical-gallery id=444339]

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


Kyler Murray is a willing runner but would rather throw the ball

He told reporters he would rather stand in the pocket and throw than take off and run.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has rare running ability. He might be the fastest quarterback in the league and his running is electric. He puts moves on people and changes direction like few we have ever seen.

However, as exciting as he is to watch as a runner, he would rather not do it.

The Detroit Lions successfully limited his running after he had over 150 yards in the first two weeks of the season.

Murray is fine with staying in the pocket.

“I don’t think the first two weeks I was going out there trying to run or anything. Like I said, it just kind of happens,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I’d rather sit in the pocket, honestly, and not have to get out and do those deals. If the opportunity presents itself, then I have the capability to do that outside of the pocket, but I’m more than capable of just sitting in there and operating from the pocket.”

Murray has shown his play in the pocket is not a weakness. He did throw three interceptions last week but he prides himself on being a passer first and not just a running quarterback.

It might look like the Lions figured something out but the big 300-yard, 4-TD games are just around the corner for the Cardinals.

[vertical-gallery id=444339]

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


Panthers injury report: Yetur Gross-Matos, Russell Okung sit out Wednesday

See the first injury report of the week for the Cardinals’ Week 4 opponent.

The Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers this weekend on the road. Carolina released their first injury report of the week and had three players sit out and another five limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Brown sat out but was just given the day off. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos was listed with an illness and tackle Russell Okung sat out with a groin injury.

Among those who were limited were safety Jeremy Chinn with a hip injury, guard Dennis Daley with an ankle injury, cornerback Donte Jackson with a toe injury, defensive tackle Kawaan Short with a foot injury and linebacker Adarius Taylor with a hip injury.

Receiver Curtis Samuel was a full participant in practice but was listed with an elbow injury.

Did not participate:

  • DT Derrick Brown (rest)
  • DE Yetur Gross-Matos (illness)
  • T Russell Okung (groin)

Limited:

  • S Jeremy Chinn (hip)
  • OL Dennis Daley (ankle)
  • CB Donte Jackson (toe)
  • DT Kawaan Short (foot)
  • LB Adarius Taylor (hip0

Full participant:

  • WR Curtis Samuel (elbow)

[vertical-gallery id=444301]

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


DeAndre Hopkins, Devon Kennard among 6 Cardinals who do not practice

Check out the Cardinals’ initial injury report of Week 4.

The Arizona Cardinals released their first injury report of the week, as they prepare for their Week 4 road matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Six players sat out Wednesday’s practice and another four were limited.

Veteran defensive lineman Corey Peters and receiver Larry Fitzgerald were given the day off. This is not surprising.

There were two previously unknown injuries. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who would normally have had the day off, was listed with an ankle injury and linebacker Devon Kennard also missed practice. He was listed with a calf injury.

Safeties Budda Baker, who had thumb surgery this week, and Chris Banjo, who left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, both also did not practice.

Receiver Christian Kirk, who missed Sunday’s game with a groin injury, and center Mason Cole, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, both were limited. Cole had not practiced in two weeks and Kirk missed practice all last week.

Defensive lineman Zach Allen (knee) and linebacker Dennis Gardeck (foot) also were limited.

Did not participate:

  • WR Larry Fitzgerald (rest)
  • DL Corey Peters (rest)
  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle)
  • S Budda Baker (thumb)
  • S Chris Banjo (hamstring)
  • LB Devon Kennard (calf)

Limited:

  • WR Christian Kirk (groin)
  • OL Mason Cole (hamstring)
  • DL Zach Allen (knee)
  • LB Dennis Gardeck (foot)

[vertical-gallery id=444301]

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


Budda Baker had surgery; Cardinals hope return is ‘sooner rather than later’

The Pro Bowl safety has had his thumb surgery.

The Arizona Cardinals have been set back by injuries at safety. Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker is expected to miss at least one game after surgery to repair ligaments in his thumb.

Baker has had the surgery and is now recovering. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury spoke about it on Wednesday before practice. He wouldn’t say when he believes Baker will return but hopes he isn’t out long.

“Budda has had the procedure and we’re just hoping it’s sooner rather than later,” he said. “I don’t want to put any timetables on it just yet. Knowing Budda and the type of superhuman he is, you never know. Everything went well, so we’re excited about that.”

Assuming he misses Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers as is expected, the Cardinals will be down both of their starting safeties, as Jalen Thompson is on injured reserve with an ankle injury and must miss at least one more game. Chris Banjo, who has been starting in Thompson’s place, suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday and his status for Sunday’s game is uncertain.

That leaves Deionte Thompson and Curtis Riley as starters, and rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who used to be a safety when he was in college, could see some time as well.

The Cardinals will need a healthy Baker. A quick return will be needed.

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


PODCAST: Review, reaction to Week 3 loss; preview and predictions for Week 4

Listen to the best hour of Cardinals talk on the Web.

A new edition of the podcast has dropped and covers everything about the Arizona Cardinals’ loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 3. Revenge of the Birds’ Seth Cox and I react to what went wrong in the Cardinals’ loss and go through the play of the receivers, the play of Kyler Murray and discuss the injuries the team has suffered.

Finally, we preview their Week 4 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, break down the matchups and make predictions.

Enjoy this edition of the show! Make sure to subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform and give it a five-star rating.

Here are the approximate times of the different topics of the episode.

(1:30) Reactions to the loss and what went wrong

(15:20) The play of the wide receivers

(24:38) The play of Kyler Murray and whether we should be concerned

(32:22) The impact of the injuries on the team

(44:57) Preview and predictions for Cardinals-Panthers

Cardinals protect 4 on practice squad for Week 4, sign TE to practice squad

They sign TE Evan Baylis and protect DL Jonathan Bullard, DL Michael Dogbe, CB Jace Whittaker and RB Jonathan Ward.

The Arizona Cardinals made a few transactions on Tuesday with the practice squad. They added a player and protected four for Week 4.

The team announced the signing of tight end Evan Baylis to the practice squad. He had a visit with the Cardinals over the weekend. They needed a fourth tight end on the team after the injury to practice squad tight end Justin Johnson, who got hurt last week.

Baylis (6-5, 250) played in five games with the Packers last season and had three special teams tackles. He first entered the league in 2017 with Houston as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Oregon and played one game with the Texans as a rookie. He has also been on the practice squads of the Texans, Colts, Panthers and Packers in his NFL career. Baylis was released by Green Bay following training camp on September 5.

In addition to his signing, the Cardinals made their protection designations for four practice squadders, keeping them from being signed by another team this week, per the NFL transaction report.

They protected the same four players they did in Week 3 — defensive linemen Jonathan Bullard and Michael Dogbe, cornerback Jace Whittaker and running back Jonathan Ward. Ward was elevated to the active roster last week and played special teams on Sunday.

[vertical-gallery id=444301]

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


Cardinals bring in former Pro Bowl S T.J. Ward for workout

Ward last played in 2017 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Arizona Cardinals know they are going to be shorthanded at safety this week. Jalen Thompson is on injured reserve and will be out at least one more week. Budda Baker will be out at least this week after he has surgery to repair torn ligaments in his thumb.

Backup Chris Banjo, who has been starting Thompson’s place, has a hamstring injury and his availability for this week is uncertain.

So they are looking for help outside the organization.

They brought in a former Pro Bowler, according to NFL transaction wire on Monday — veteran safety T.J. Ward.

 

Ward played for the Denver Broncos from 2014-2016. Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph coached there but in 2017-2018, so the two did not cross paths.

Ward last played in 2017 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a Pro Bowler in 2013-2014.

Ward is now 33 years old. If the Cardinals sign him, he could actually start. As of right now, the starters for this weekend against the Carolina Panthers are likely going to be Deionte Thompson and Curtis Riley.

[vertical-gallery id=444245]

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