Cardinals facing stern test in Week 17 with weakened cornerbacks group

The Arizona Cardinals will be taking on a lethal Dallas Cowboys passing attack with a watered-down contingent of cornerbacks.

After three consecutive losses, the Arizona Cardinals will be looking to “get off the schneid” when they meet the Dallas Cowboys this coming Sunday. Unfortunately, the squad will have to do so without their full complement of cornerbacks.

At the current time, the Cards have just two healthy cover guys on the active roster. One of the two, Byron Murphy, has logged 14 starts for the team this season. The other, Antonio Hamilton, has appeared in 15 matchups for Arizona this fall but has made just two starts.

Things began to go sour for the Cardinals at cornerback on December 18, when steady veteran Robert Alford was placed on the injured-reserve list with a strained pectoral muscle. The position was further depleted on Christmas night when rookie Marco Wilson suffered a shoulder injury during the club’s 22-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Cornerback additions have yet to contribute to the Arizona Cardinals secondary

The Cards began to add depth at the corner spot back on December 15th, when they signed Breon Borders off of the Tennessee Titans practice squad. The 26-year old could have quite possibly seen his first action for the organization versus Dallas, but the 6-foot,189-pounder was just placed on the COVID-19 list.

On Monday, it was being reported that Arizona was preparing to ink Bashaud Breeland to a free-agent contract. That deal has been put on hold, however, after the 29-year-old also tested positive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in the desert.

It was announced on Wednesday that the Cardinals have protected two corners off of their practice squad. Both Kevin Peterson and Jace Whittaker could be elevated to the active roster in time for the Cards’ week 17 clash with the Cowboys.

Dallas’ passing attack will present a stiff challenge for what is now an undermanned Arizona secondary. The Cowboys, with Dak Prescott at quarterback, amass 282.7 yards per week through the air. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (300.0) and Kansas City Chiefs (285.1) have averaged more.

Prescott has a plethora of talented pass-catchers to throw to. The two-time Pro Bowler’s weapons include Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz, and Cedrick Wilson.

Arizona’s defensive backfield has a daunting task ahead of them this coming weekend. It’s going to take an outstanding effort from everyone in that unit for the Redbirds to have any chance of getting out of Dallas with a victory.