The Arizona Cardinals are heading into Week 9 with more holes to patch, and three of them are now officially closed for Sunday’s trip to Seattle.
Head coach Mike LaFleur said Friday that running back Bam Knight, tackle Jayden Williams and guard Jon Gaines will all be unavailable against the Seahawks. Knight is dealing with a concussion, Williams has a knee injury and Gaines is out with an ankle issue.
None of the three took part in practice on Wednesday or Thursday, so the writing was already on the wall before LaFleur confirmed it to reporters Friday morning. Arizona will post its official injury report later in the day after practice.
The Cardinals, sitting at 3-5, have been juggling injuries all season, and this week is no different. Tyler Allgeier is set to handle lead-back duties again after carrying the load in Dallas last week with Knight sidelined and Jeremiyah Love already on injured reserve.
Up front, Josh Fryar is expected to slide in at left tackle again with Williams out. LaFleur described Fryar as a “steady” presence, even though the circumstances around him have been anything but stable.
“Steady. I thought he stepped in [well], and it [circumstances] doesn’t matter.
The situation, just like Gardner [Minshew] wasn’t playing in the the first half. Jayden, his last play was that long run, and he was hurt before that,” said LaFleur.
“So I think that tells you a lot about Jayden. I think you guys really got a good glimpse of the the men in that locker room from this last game. ... Fryar stepped in, and I don’t think I knew that until like four plays after he was in there because we had enough stuff we were trying to figure out.”
There may be a small bit of relief coming at guard. Arizona could get starting right guard Isaiah Adams back after recently opening his return window from injured reserve. Adams has been limited in both practices because of an ankle injury.
Even with that possibility, the Cardinals are still carrying a long injury list into the weekend, with Walter Nolen, Max Melton and Michael Wilson among the names to monitor.
Seattle has its own issues, too. The Seahawks are without starting quarterback Sam Darnold this week, which means Drew Lock will start against Arizona for the second time this season. In Seattle’s Week 2 win, Lock led the offense to 31 points against the Cardinals’ defense.
Arizona going into the game already down three key players - and with more injury questions still hanging over the roster - doesn’t make the setup any easier.
In Other News...
Cardinals Deadline Approach Is Raising Big Questions About This Roster
As the deadline nears, the Cardinals are still sorting through what kind of roster they want to be for the stretch run, and the conversation around them has only gotten louder. Arizona has already been linked to a quarterback move with Jacoby Brissett expected to be finalized soon, while head coach Mike LaFleur also said running back James Conner will not return this week, leaving the offense with more short-term uncertainty than the team would like.
The bigger question is what Arizona does with its veteran talent on the other side of the ball. The Cardinals have been seeking significant value for edge rusher Josh Sweat, and league chatter has also kept safety Budda Baker in the trade conversation as Tuesday approaches, a sign that this front office may still be weighing whether to add around the margins or take a harder look at the long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Josh Sweat Decision That Still Isnt Simple
Josh Sweat has become one of the more interesting names to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, but the buzz around the Cardinals pass-rusher has not changed the basic outlook much. Arizona has every reason to treat him as part of its longer-term plans, and the contract situation only makes a move more complicated for a team that values edge help.
Even with rumors circulating, the sense around the league is that the Cardinals are not eager to deal him unless the return is substantial enough to justify it. Sweats future still feels tied to Arizona, and unless the right kind of offer materializes, this looks like one of those deadline stories that may end with the player staying put and the team keeping its pass rush intact. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Seahawks Injury Situation That Could Change Everything
Seattles first full practice of the week brought a long injury report and a little more clarity for a matchup that already had plenty of moving parts. The Seahawks listed 17 players on their second report, including six starters, while Arizona also had several players either not participating or limited as both teams started to narrow their focus toward Sunday.
The biggest developments came on Seattles side, where Ernest Jones IV and Derick Hall were added to the report as not practicing, even as guard Anthony Bradford moved to full participation. For the Cardinals, the report only added to the uncertainty around a game that could be shaped as much by who is available as by anything that happens on the field. [Read more 🡒]