Week 16 injury list is concerning for the Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals will need to overcome a plethora of injuries when they meet the San Francisco 49ers this coming Saturday.
Over the past few days, several members of the Arizona Cardinals roster have been added to the club’s injury list. It’s not a good time to be shorthanded, considering the fact that the team is smack dab in the middle of a playoff race. Nevertheless, the Cards may be forced to take on the San Francisco 49ers this coming Saturday without a full compliment of players at their disposal.
One individual who could be less than 100% this weekend is legendary wideout Larry Fitzgerald. The future Hall of Famer missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday with a strained groin, but returned in a limited fashion on Thursday. The Cardinals seemed to lack energy in weeks 12 and 13( both losses), when Fitzgerald was sidelined with the coronavirus.
On the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Haason Reddick is attempting to work through a shoulder ailment that caused him to miss Tuesday’s practice session. Arizona’s leader in quarterback sacks (11) returned on Wednesday but was limited. Reddick’s availability for the 49ers matchup is extremely important, now that fellow edge-rusher Dennis Gardeck will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
Running back Chase Edmonds is dealing with knee and ankle troubles that surfaced last week, and also caused him to sit out both Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices. The 24-year old was back on the field with his teammates on Thursday, but practiced in a limited fashion only. Edmonds managed to play through the pain last weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Cardinals are hoping he can do it again in week 16.
Cards tight end Dan Arnold has been hot lately, scoring four touchdowns in the past five weeks. Unfortunately, a back issue is threatening to hold the 25-year old out of the 49ers contest. Not having Arnold would be a significant loss for quarterback Kyler Murray and the rest of the Arizona passing game.
There are several more Cardinals who are listed as “questionable” heading into Saturday’s showdown with the Niners. Those on the offensive side of the ball include tight end Maxx Williams, guard Justin Pugh and tight end Darrell Daniels. Players on defense include cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Jalen Thompson and linebacker Kylie Fitts.