Injuries are taking a toll on the Arizona Cardinals scoring attack

A bevy of injuries are having a negative effect on the ability of the Arizona Cardinals to put points on the scoreboard. 

There’s been a ton of negativity directed at the Arizona Cardinals offense over the past few days. After all, quarterback Kyler Murray and company managed one measly field goal against a Seattle Seahawks defense that had given up a whopping 87 points during the previous two games.

One possible reason for the inadequate play of the Arizona scoring attack is the injuries that have sidelined a handful of the unit’s key contributors. The Redbirds have struggled to remain healthy during the first third of the 2022-23 campaign, so the team’s disappointing 2-4 start is far from surprising.

To their credit, the Cards have not used the missing players as an excuse for the offense’s poor performance. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has accepted a lot of the blame, but the group’s playcaller has had to make due with several backups in the lineup.

Arizona Cardinals offense needs to get back several key members of the unit

Heading into last Sunday’s clash with Seattle, the Cardinals were extremely thin at the running back position. Starter James Conner hurt his ribs during a Week 5 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, and veteran Darrel Williams sprained his knee during the same contest. Second-year pro Eno Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram attempted to pick up the slack, but the production of Conner and Williams was clearly missed.

Arizona was also without starting center Rodney Hudson (knee) versus the Seahawks, and journeyman Sean Harlow did an awful job of filling in for the three-time Pro Bowler. General manager Steve Keim made a huge mistake this past offseason when he failed to acquire a more competent backup for the 33-year old Hudson.

If that wasn’t enough, the Cards offensive line took another massive hit when left guard Justin Pugh exited the matchup with the Seahawks in the opening quarter. The news got even worse following the game when the organization announced that the 32-year old Pugh will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

The Cardinals were stricken with more bad luck late in the fourth quarter, when Marquise “Hollywood” Brown went limping off of the field with a fractured foot. It could’ve been worse, but the speedy wide receiver will reportedly spend six weeks on the shelf.

Arizona is hoping that Conner and Hudson will be ready to go this coming Thursday when the club plays host to the New Orleans Saints. Based on what they did last weekend, the Cards offense is going to need all of the help they can get.