Arizona Cardinals: The need for a healthy season

By Joseph Vasquez | Apr 4, 2017

January 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is carried off after suffering an injury against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Cardinals are going to have to stay healthy to have a successful season in 2017

Heading into the 2017 season the Arizona Cardinals need to do something that will help them be successful, and that is staying healthy. In 2016 the Cardinals were taken over with injury once again, luckily not to quarterback Carson Palmer. The need for a healthy season is critical in making a run, especially when the playoffs come around, that’s if the Cardinals make it that far.

In 2017 the Arizona Cardinals had injury plague them in training camp. Mike Jenkins who was a front runner to be Corner back opposite Patrick Peterson, first broke his hand and then in the third preseason game suffered an ACL injury. Then it didn’t help cornerback Justin Bethel was still fighting a foot injury, as well as first round pick Robert Nkemdiche hurting his ankle and having that bother him throughout the season.

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There were a lot of key players that found their selves on the injured reserves list. Lineman Jared Veldheer, and Evan Mathis. Key special teamers Alani Fua and Ifeanyi Momah as well.

Also injured were defensive starters Tyrann Mathieu and Tyvon Branch. As well as Chris Johnson, Troy Niklas and Jaron Brown on offense.

Besides injured reserve you had John Brown battling a sickle cell, Carson Palmer had a concussion and was out a week and David Johnson even had a bad injury scare in the final game.

For the Cardinals to have success in 2017, these injuries will have to be limited. I know that’s saying a lot because its football, but there were a lot of key players missing and that resulted in a 7-8-1 record.

The injuries on the offensive line were a killer, as was losing Mathieu. Jaron Brown was tough because of the Cardinals limited source at wide receiver throughout the season.

Most importantly, the Cardinals have to keep Carson Palmer healthy, and that starts with a healthy offensive line that can protect him. 2017 will be a time to start over and regroup with a healthy roster, lets just hope it stays that way.

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