The Arizona Cardinals returned to the practice field after having the Christmas holiday off
Just 3 days until the 2019 Arizona Cardinals take the field for the last time. They have a chance to avoid losing 10 games.
They will face the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles for just the third time since they returned to the west coast. Last year the Cardinals lost 34-0 in an early season visit.
We still don’t know the status of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. He sat out most of the second half with a hamstring injury against the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday.
Murray was listed as limited on Thursday’s official injury report. He wasn’t the only player limited either.
Also limited on Thursday was safety Budda Baker. Baker is going to the Pro Bowl in January. Linebacker Chandler Jones was also limited with a thumb injury on Thursday.
No word on how severe Jones injury is but right now expect him to play. He has a chance to reach 20 sacks on the season against the Rams. He currently leads the NFL with 19 sacks, 2.5 ahead of the next guy on the list.
Guard Justin Pugh was limited on Thursday. He was questionable for last week’s game but ended up playing and playing very well, helping open up running lanes for running back Kenyan Drake, who had 166-yards rushing against the Seahawks.
Tight end might be an issue for the Cardinals on Sunday in Los Angeles. Charles Clay and Darrell Daniels both missed practice Thursday. Clay was injured during the game in Seattle and was replaced by Maxx Williams.
The only other player on the injury report Thursday was safety Charles Washington. He is currently nursing a calf injury.
The last game of the season and availability of injured players is always a dicey situation. Since none of them have to play, it will be interesting to see who actually does.
Certainly the Cardinals would like to see all of these players on the field against the Rams. However with the offseason coming up starting Monday, no need to further risk injury that could impede any progress over the next several months in preparation for the 2020 season.