Arizona Cardinals: Five keys to winning NFC West

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Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates a play against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Health

If there was one thing more frustrating than the special teams last season, it was the Cardinals health. They finished the season with 16 players on injured reserve.

That’s not an exaggeration. Wish it was but that truly was how often players were getting hurt last season.

That doesn’t even count the players that missed games but didn’t go on injured reserve. Take Carson Palmer for instance. He missed one game thanks to a concussion. Safety Tyvon Branch went on injured reserve twice!

So now in 2017 most everyone is healthy. Receiver Jaron Brown is still coming back from a torn ACL, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is nursing an injury, and linebacker Deone Bucannon may miss the first week or two of the season after surgery.

They will need to have a healthy camp for the most part if they want to get off on the right foot in 2017. Injuries will always happen, that’s part of the game, however the Cardinals had more than their share in 2016. In 2017 with Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald not getting any younger, their health is paramount to a successful season.

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