As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans, Thursday’s injury report gave us a clearer picture of where both teams stand heading into the weekend. With playoff hopes hanging by a thread and rosters already thinned by the grind of the season, the latest updates carry real weight - especially for a Cardinals squad that’s already leaning heavily on its young core.
Let’s start in Arizona, where the Cardinals held their second practice of the week. Eight players were sidelined for the second straight day - and that’s not just depth guys.
Four of those eight are starters, including left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who remains out with a knee injury and has already been ruled out for Sunday. That’s a big blow to the offensive line, which has struggled to find consistency all season.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. also missed his second straight practice with a heel issue. While there’s no official word on his game status just yet, back-to-back DNPs this late in the week are never a great sign, especially for a player who’s become a key piece of the Cardinals’ passing game. If he can't go, Arizona will be missing its top outside threat against a Texans secondary that's been tightening up in recent weeks.
Left guard Evan Brown continues to be away from the team due to a personal matter - the same issue that kept him out of last Sunday's game against the Rams. His absence leaves another hole in an offensive line that’s already down its starting left tackle.
Safety Jalen Thompson, another starter, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up in that Rams game. His availability will be something to watch closely, especially with the Texans’ offense showing flashes of explosiveness.
Cornerback Max Melton was downgraded from limited on Wednesday to out on Thursday, which is rarely a good trend. He’s battling a heel injury, and his status for Sunday is now firmly in question. Depth in the secondary could become a concern if he can’t suit up.
On the brighter side, safety Budda Baker was back in full after missing Wednesday’s session due to a combination of a personal issue and a thumb injury. Getting him back at full strength is a major boost - not just for the defense, but for the locker room. Baker is the emotional heartbeat of this team, and his presence on the field matters as much as his production.
Cornerback Will Johnson also practiced in full with a thumb injury, a good sign for Arizona’s secondary heading into a game that could feature plenty of passing.
As for the Texans, they’re trending in the opposite direction - in a good way. Eight players saw their practice status improve from Wednesday, including three who went from not practicing at all to full participation. That’s a strong sign of progress for a team that’s been dealing with its own share of bumps and bruises.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle) and right tackle Trent Brown (hand) both practiced fully on Thursday, which is significant for Houston’s run defense and pass protection, respectively. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins also logged a full practice after dealing with elbow and shoulder issues. If all three can go, the Texans’ front seven will be in much better shape than it looked earlier in the week.
Running back Woody Marks and defensive end Denico Autry were limited with knee injuries, but at least they were on the field. That’s better than nothing at this point in the season.
Notably, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and left guard Tytus Howard did not practice. Lassiter is dealing with a foot injury, and Howard was away for personal reasons. Running back Nick Chubb also remained out with a rib injury.
There’s still one more practice to go before final designations are handed out, but Thursday’s report gave us a solid read on where things are heading. For the Cardinals, the concern is depth - especially on the offensive line and in the secondary. For the Texans, the trend is more optimistic, with several key players moving in the right direction.
As Sunday approaches, both teams will be hoping their medical staffs can work a little late-season magic. Because with playoff positioning and pride on the line, every snap - and every healthy body - matters.