Arizona Cardinals secondary will be short-handed on Sunday
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals will be missing two key members of their secondary when they take on the Miami Dolphins this weekend
When the defensive unit of the Arizona Cardinals takes the field this coming Sunday, two of it’s key cover guys will be watching from the sideline. Veteran Dre Kirkpatrick, along with second-year player Byron Murphy, are scheduled to miss Arizona’s matchup with the much-improved Miami Dolphins. What does that mean for the Cards 18th-ranked pass defense?
The Cardinals will be taking on the Dolphins offense with Patrick Peterson, Kevin Peterson and De’Vante Bausby lining up at the cornerback position. Fortunately, Miami’s passing game is nothing to be too concerned about. Their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is a rookie who’ll be making the second NFL start of his young career.
Last Sunday, the 22-year old Tagovailoa posted some underwhelming numbers during Miami’s 28-17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The 6’0, 217 pounder completed 12 of his 22 passes for just 93 yards. Tagovailoa did register his first professional touchdown toss, when he hooked up with wide receiver DeVante Parker for a three-yard score in the first quarter.
Kirkpatrick, a 31-year old who was acquired by Arizona back in August, is nursing a thigh injury at the present time. Murphy, a second-round draft pick of the organization in 2019, was placed on the league’s Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the week.
Besides Peterson, Peterson and Bausby, the Cards also have another option at the spot. Prince Amukamara, a 10th-year NFL defensive back, is currently a part of the team’s practice squad. Coordinator Vance Joseph, in an interview last week, indicated that Amukamara is “close” to making his debut with the Cardinals.
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There are also reports that Arizona could be bringing in another experienced corner. Johnathan Joseph, a 36-year old who was released by the Tennessee Titans this past Tuesday, could be heading to the desert shortly. However, the two-time Pro Bowler would have to go through the COVID-19 protocols before he could take the field for the Cards.