Mostly healthy Arizona Cardinals to face Carolina Panthers

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The Arizona Cardinals have not ruled any players out for Sunday’s NFC Championship game in Charlotte

If the Arizona Cardinals are going to go down, they will go down as a healthy team, for the most part.  As of the final injury report released on Friday, every Cardinals player on the report was listed as probable to play on Sunday evening against the Carolina Panthers.

The biggest worry over the week seemed to be over running back David Johnson’s toe, defensive tackle Frostee Rucker’s ankle, and defensive tackle Josh Mauro’s calf.  All three were limited both Wednesday and Thursday but were full participants in Friday’s practice.

Cornerback Justin Bethel (ankle), linebacker Markus Golden (knee), receiver John Brown (shoulder), and quarterback Carson Palmer (finger) were also on the report this week.  Since no one has been ruled out for Sunday it sounds like seven healthy players will be inactive against the Panthers.

As for the Panthers, the only player ruled out is defensive end Jared Allen. He broke his foot in last Sunday’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks.  It was first though he’d miss the Championship game and also the Super Bowl and he was done.  However he did give it a go this week in practice.  Thursday was the only day he practiced though and that was on a limited basis.

Panthers running back Johnathan Stewart (ankle) is listed as probable for Sunday.  He did not practice on Wednesday, leaving his status for Sunday in doubt.  Then he was limited in Thursday’s practice but practiced in full on Friday in Charlotte.

Honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.  For the most part both teams will face each other as healthy as can be expected this time of the year.  The fact that Jared Allen even gave it a go this week in practice says a lot to the importance of this game.  It’s a shame these two teams will have to find seven players to sit.