Arizona Cardinals Wilks takes right approach

The Arizona Cardinals have had one major injury so far and a few minor ones but has good mindset when to work and rest players

Although I’m not a fan of Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks having practice outside in the desert heat during camp, there is a toughness I understand he is trying to build.  What he is also doing is making sure he takes the right approach with the players and making sure they make it out of camp.

On Monday he gave veteran days off to receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Sam Bradford.  Also, don’t look for them to get a ton of playing time in the preseason either.  You can add running back David Johnson among those in that group too.

Tuesday, he rested defensive tackles Robert Nkemdiche and Olsen Pierre.  Both have had past injuries but Wilks recognized the need to make sure they are as healthy as possible come September.  Tuesday was also an outdoor practice.

Former head coach Bruce Arians did the same thing as well for the vets but most of their practices were also held inside.  It will be interesting to see exactly how much the vets play in the preseason.

For the most part, the Cardinals know what they have in their returning vets, although those that are returning from an injury last season do need to get themselves into football shape. So far, all sounds good on that front.

The Cardinals have two more practices open to the public indoors on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning before their first preseason game on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. hosting the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Don’t expect to see much of Fitz, Bradford, or Johnson this Saturday evening either.  I would expect Wilks to advise within the next couple of days just how much we can expect to see them.

Hopefully it won’t be much, if at all.  I understand the fans want to see them but I’d much rather not see them on the field if it means a full and healthy 2018 regular season.