Cardinals Fall Again, But It’s the Injuries That Hurt the Most
The Arizona Cardinals dropped their 12th game of the season on Sunday, falling 26-19 to the Atlanta Falcons in a game that was close on the scoreboard but felt far from competitive. And while the loss itself was familiar, it’s the growing list of injuries - and the names on it - that may have the longest-lasting impact as this grueling season nears its end.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a blowout. For the first time in weeks, Arizona kept things tight until the final drive.
But even with the game technically in reach, the performance felt disjointed - a mix of missed opportunities, inconsistent execution, and a roster that’s simply been stretched too thin. With two games left on the calendar, including a date with a Rams team fighting for the division crown, it’s hard to see another win on the horizon.
But at this point, wins might be the least of Arizona’s concerns.
Ground Game Finally Shows Life
There was at least one silver lining: the Cardinals’ ground game finally showed some teeth. After struggling to generate consistent rushing production for much of the season, Arizona cracked the 100-yard mark behind a trio of backs who brought some much-needed juice.
Michael Carter, Corey Kiner, and Emari Demercado combined for 127 yards on 22 carries - a healthy 5.7 yards per tote. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective, and it gave the offense a dimension it’s lacked for weeks.
Unfortunately, the passing game didn’t hold up its end of the bargain.
Jacoby Brissett, filling in under center, had a rough outing. He completed just 16 of 31 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
His accuracy was spotty, and the offense struggled to sustain drives through the air. A few key drops didn’t help, but Brissett looked out of rhythm for most of the afternoon.
Tight end Trey McBride, one of the few consistent weapons in this offense, was held to just 27 yards on four catches. His quiet day mirrored the overall struggles through the air.
The team’s leading receiver? Backup tight end Elijah Higgins - a stat that says plenty about how the afternoon unfolded.
Defense Battles, But Can’t Contain Bijan
Defensively, there were moments of promise. Arizona forced two turnovers and got solid pressure on Kirk Cousins, who looked every bit the stationary target the Cardinals hoped he’d be. Darius Robinson stood out with a strong performance up front - seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery - while rookie corner Will Johnson held his own in coverage against Falcons wideout Drake London.
But any talk of a defensive bounce-back gets tempered quickly when you look at what Bijan Robinson did. The Falcons’ star running back racked up 168 total yards and a touchdown, slicing through the Cardinals’ defense with the kind of burst and balance that’s made him a rising star in the league. Arizona had no answer for him, especially in the second half.
Even when the Cardinals led 16-10 late in the first half, it never felt like they were in control. The offense stalled out, and the defense - despite flashes - couldn’t keep Atlanta from finding its footing. It was the kind of game that’s defined this season: competitive in stretches, but ultimately outmatched.
Injuries Pile Up - And These Ones Hurt
But the most painful part of Sunday’s loss wasn’t on the scoreboard. It was on the sidelines - and, in some cases, the cart.
Arizona didn’t just lose a game. They may have lost several key contributors for the rest of the season - and possibly beyond.
Outside linebacker Josh Sweat left with an ankle injury. Center Hjalte Froholdt exited with an elbow issue. Even Budda Baker, the emotional heartbeat of this defense, had to leave for a concussion evaluation, though he did return.
But the real concern lies with two players who didn’t come back.
Cornerback Garrett Williams went down on a non-contact play - never a good sign - and was quickly ruled out with an Achilles injury. That’s the kind of diagnosis that doesn’t just end a season, it threatens to derail the start of the next one.
Then there’s Walter Nolen III. The rookie defensive lineman had been one of the few bright spots this year - durable, disruptive, and improving every week.
But on Sunday, he left on the cart with a knee injury, visibly emotional. For a player who had never dealt with serious injuries before, it was a gut punch - for him and for a fan base that’s been clinging to any signs of future promise.
A Season That Keeps Taking
Losing games is one thing - and at this point, fans can at least rationalize it with the idea of improving draft position. But losing young, ascending talent to potentially long-term injuries? That’s the kind of blow that stings deeper than any final score.
This Cardinals season has been a grind - a test of depth, resilience, and patience. And as the team limps toward the finish line, both literally and figuratively, it’s clear that the damage goes well beyond the win-loss column.
For Arizona, the road to relevance was always going to be a long one. But after Sunday, it feels like it just got a little longer.