Arizona Cardinals: 3 hurt by lack of offseason

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs is tackled by Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals during a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs is tackled by Haason Reddick #43 of the Arizona Cardinals during a NFL game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #17 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #17 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 17-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Hakeem Butler

His rookie season didn’t even get off the ground.  He didn’t even make it through training camp before being shelved for the 2019 season.

Butler looked good early on in the first days of camp but things quickly fell apart.  KeeSean Johnson started looking good.

Butler was on a downward trend before an injury took his season away.  It was probably for the better and saved him from likely being inactive all season.

Now he comes into 2020 with a lot to prove.  With a stronger receiver room going into training camp, he has his work cut out for him.  The lack of offseason camps could be a set back for him even though he’s been around now for a year.

It is possible he never even plays a single down for the team, who drafted him with high hopes.  He may need to hope the Cardinals carry seven receivers.  Hopefully he surprises and makes it an easy decision to keep him.

Even if he is kept on the active 53-man roster, he will have to do a lot to keep a spot.  Look what happened to Andy Isabella last season?  This is essentially Butler’s rookie and make or break season all in one.