The Arizona Cardinals kicked off their practice week on Wednesday with a lengthy injury report ahead of their Sunday showdown against the Houston Texans - and it’s a list that could have real implications on both sides of the ball.
Ten Cardinals players didn’t participate in practice, but not all of them are dealing with injuries. Veterans Kelvin Beachum, Josh Sweat, and Dalvin Tomlinson were given rest days, while Evan Brown was absent due to a personal matter. Safety Budda Baker’s absence was attributed to both personal reasons and a thumb injury.
Brown, who also missed Sunday’s game against the Rams for the same personal issue, remains away from the team. No further details have been provided, and it’s unclear when he might return.
One name officially ruled out for the rest of the season is rookie running back Trey Benson. His 21-day practice window expired without him returning to the field, and head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Benson simply hasn’t progressed enough physically to resume football activity. Benson hasn’t played since Week 4 against Seattle, and while the team had hoped for a late-season return, that door has now closed.
Of the ten Cardinals who didn’t practice, eight are starters - a concerning number, especially on the offensive line. Three starting linemen - Beachum (RT), Brown (LG), and Paris Johnson Jr.
(LT) - were sidelined Wednesday. Johnson is dealing with a knee injury and has already been ruled out for Sunday.
That means the Cardinals are likely looking at a reworked front five this week. Josh Fryar and Jon Gaines II are expected to fill in at left tackle and left guard, respectively, while Demontrey Jacobs likely slides into the right tackle spot.
There’s also a chance Christian Jones could be activated from injured reserve soon. He was limited in practice Wednesday and has until next week before his 21-day window closes.
Here’s a breakdown of the Cardinals’ Wednesday injury report:
Did Not Participate:
- *S Budda Baker (personal/thumb)
- *RT Kelvin Beachum (rest)
- *LG Evan Brown (personal)
- *WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel)
- *LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee/out)
- DL Bilal Nichols (knee)
- *OLB Josh Sweat (rest)
- S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle)
- *DL Dalvin Tomlinson (rest)
- WR Xavier Weaver (hamstring)
Limited Participation:
- DL L.J. Collier (knee) - practicing while on IR
- RB Emari Demercado (ankle)
- T Christian Jones (knee) - practicing while on IR
- CB Max Melton (heel)
- DL Walter Nolen III (knee)
Demercado’s status is one to watch. He’s been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury early in Week 11 against the 49ers.
After not practicing for two straight weeks, he was limited twice last week before sitting out Friday and missing the Rams game. His return would add some needed depth to the backfield.
Full Participation:
- *CB Will Johnson (thumb)
On the other side of the field, the Texans are dealing with their own injury concerns. Seven players didn’t practice on Wednesday, including five starters. Four more were limited.
Here’s how Houston’s injury report looked:
Did Not Participate:
- *LB Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle)
- DE Denico Autry (knee)
- *RT Trent Brown (hand)
- RB Nick Chubb (ribs)
- *CB Kamari Lassiter (foot)
- *RB Woody Marks (knee)
- *DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow/shoulder)
Limited Participation:
- TE Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder) - practicing while on IR
- LB Jamal Hill (hamstring)
- LB E.J. Speed (knee)
- WR Justin Watson (calf) - practicing while on IR
Both teams are banged up heading into a key late-season matchup. For the Cardinals, the offensive line shuffle could be the biggest storyline to monitor as they prepare to face a Texans pass rush that’s been quietly effective this season. And with both teams still working through injuries to key starters, depth and adaptability will be crucial come Sunday.