The Arizona Cardinals’ first and only home practice of the week came with a few noticeable absences as the team wrapped up work in Tempe before heading to Green Bay.
James Conner, Jeremiyah Love, Isaiah Adams and Isaac Seumalo were all missing on Monday, though the most likely explanation is veteran rest for at least some of that group. Arizona has a scheduled travel day on Tuesday before its joint practice with the Packers, which makes the timing of the absences a little less alarming.
With both starting offensive guards out, the Cardinals lined up Hayden Conner and Jon Gaines with the first-team offensive line. Gaines worked at right guard, while Hayden Conner was at left guard.
Conner has been in and out of practice lately, and the veteran back may either be getting protected for the regular season or still dealing with the foot/ankle injury he suffered in Week 3 last season. Head coach Mike LaFleur has already said Conner has earned the right to decide whether he’ll play in the preseason, although that hasn’t happened yet. Green Bay is Arizona’s final exhibition game before the regular season.
Jeremiyah Love remains on the sideline as he recovers from a reported high ankle sprain suffered two games ago in Las Vegas, and he still hasn’t practiced in just under two weeks. LaFleur said, "He's doing well, progressing well, and kind of in the next phase of it," and also made clear Love would not be practicing.
Seumalo’s absence fits the pattern of occasional veteran rest days he has taken in camp, so that one doesn’t stand out as much. Arizona likely wants to keep the free agent signing fresh for the season opener after he has been a steady presence in prior stops at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Adams is the name that raises the most questions. The third-year guard is not yet in the kind of position to be routinely getting days off, especially with this being his first season as a full-time starter after inconsistent play over his first two years.
Trey Benson was also not there, but he was waived Monday.
On the positive side, Josh Sweat was back from the PUP list.
The Cardinals are not expected to use their starters in Friday’s preseason game in Green Bay, largely because of Wednesday’s joint practice with the Packers. Since Arizona leaves on Tuesday, any real concern about the missing players probably won’t get clearer until later in the week.
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