The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions have announced their inactives ahead of Sunday’s season opener
The Arizona Cardinals already knew one of their inactive players even before they reached Detroit. Linebacker Deone Bucannon is out of Sunday’s game.
They knew as of Friday they would have a couple of game day decisions. One of those game day decisions was defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche. He has now been ruled a no-go.
Other inactives include quarterback Blaine Gabbert, which was expected as the third quarterback. Tackles Will Holden and Ulrick John are both inactive for the Lions game.
The other two inactives are rookie receiver Chad Williams and linebacker Scooby Wright III. So, the move to move Wright to the active roster had to be a financial move for the Cardinals in terms of releasing Philip Wheeler. Maybe the first cheap move the Cardinals have made in awhile if in fact they bring Wheeler back this week.
The loss of Nkemdiche can not be underscored. However they do have depth on the defensive line, to the Cardinals should be alright for this week. Hopefully the Cardinals will get him back next week in Indianapolis.
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The other game day decision was guard Mike Iupati. He isn’t inactive. How much he actually plays remains to be seen.
As for the Lions inactives, they include receiver Jared Abbrederis, cornerback Teez Tabor, running backs Zach Zenner and Tion Green, guard Zac Kerin, tackles Corey Robinson and Storm Norton.
The losses of Zenner, Tabor, and Robinson hurt the most for the Lions. They will have all of their stars in tact.
Neither team may never be healthier than right now but the Cardinals do need Nkemdiche and Bucannon back soon before the meat of the schedule arrives.
We’ll see how the depth chart helps the Cardinals on Sunday. The offensive line’s depth will be tested today with two players out.