Cardinals place Robert Alford on the injured reserve list

The Arizona Cardinals could look to recently-released veteran Bashaud Breeland as a reinforcement for the cornerback position.

After two full seasons of watching from the sidelines, cornerback Robert Alford spent the first 14 weeks of the 2021 NFL campaign contributing to the Arizona Cardinals. Steve Keim, the club’s general manager, was finally getting some payback on the investment he made with Alford back in 2019.

Apparently, making it through a full year of professional football unscathed was too much to ask of the 33-year-old veteran. Alford sustained an injury to his pectoral muscle and will now spend the next three weeks on the Cards’ injured reserve list. It’s a significant loss for Arizona, who is currently vying for the NFC’s number-one seed.

Alford had been enjoying a solid season for the Cardinals‘ fifth-ranked defense. In 13 appearances (five starts), the 5-foot-10,186-pounder registered 37 tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception for coordinator Vance Joseph‘s unit.

The loss of Alford, even it’s for the next three matchups, will certainly be felt by the Redbirds’ secondary. However, some help for the dilemma has just become available if Keim decides to make a move.

Arizona Cardinals could address the loss at cornerback with Bashaud Breeland

On Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings made a surprise move when they elected to part ways with cover guy Bashaud Breeland. It’s being reported that the 5-foot-11,195-pounder got into a physical altercation with teammates Dalvin Cook and Sheldon Richardson and also confronted Minnesota GM Rick Spielman when he stepped in to calm the situation.

Losing Alford in the middle of a playoff run is a dagger for the Cards, so bringing in a player with Breeland’s talent and experience should be a no-brainer. Of course, the team’s front office will have to let it be known that the conduct he displayed with the Vikings will not be tolerated in the desert. Breeland would also have to clear waivers for Arizona to even have a chance of acquiring him.

In 13 starts thus far this fall, Breeland has tallied 63 tackles, two picks, and five pass breakups for Minnesota. Those are better statistics than Alford has posted in the same number of games for the Cardinals.

Breeland was a fourth-round draft pick of the Washington Football Team back in 2014. The former Clemson University product has also spent time with the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. In 107 career contests (101 starts), Breeland has racked up 439 tackles, 16 interceptions, 86 pass breakups, and a pair of defensive touchdowns during his time in the league.