Cardinals Show Fight, But Injuries Steal the Spotlight in Latest Loss
There are no moral victories in the NFL - especially not when you're 3-12 - but for the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday’s narrow loss offered a small glimpse of progress. For once, they were in it.
They competed. And for a team that’s been on the wrong end of some lopsided beatdowns this season, that’s not nothing.
Let’s be real: this wasn’t a game that will end up on any highlight reels, but it wasn’t a total collapse either. Arizona kept it close, losing by just one score.
That’s a far cry from the kind of blowouts that have defined too much of their season. But while the scoreboard showed improvement, the injury report told a much darker story.
Defense Shows Up - Until It Can’t
The Cardinals' defense turned in one of its better efforts of the year. They held the Falcons to 26 points and under 200 passing yards, and even managed to get after Kirk Cousins with some consistency.
The pass rush didn’t rack up sacks - just one on the day - but the pressure was there. They also forced two turnovers, which kept Arizona in the game longer than many expected.
But as has been the case all season, one step forward came with two steps back. The Cardinals couldn’t contain Bijan Robinson, who piled up 168 total yards and a touchdown. He wasn’t unstoppable, but he was efficient, and he made the kind of impact that Arizona simply couldn’t match.
A Brutal Day for Injuries
If there was one thing the Cardinals couldn’t afford - especially this late in a lost season - it was more injuries. But Sunday delivered a gut punch.
Defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, who’s already had a tough season health-wise, went down with a non-contact knee injury. He’s been battling that same knee for much of the year, and the emotional scene as he was carted off the field told you everything you needed to know. No official update yet from Jonathan Gannon, but the concern is real.
Then came another blow: cornerback Garrett Williams went down on a non-contact play as well. The early word is an Achilles injury - and anyone who follows football knows how serious that can be. Again, no confirmation on severity, but it’s the kind of injury that typically signals a lengthy recovery.
And that wasn’t the end of it. Center Hjalte Froholdt left with an elbow injury but was able to return.
Outside linebacker Josh Sweat exited with an ankle issue. Safety Budda Baker was evaluated for a concussion.
It was a cascade of bad breaks on a team that’s already been stretched thin.
Injuries aren’t an excuse for a 3-12 record, but they’ve certainly been a recurring theme in a season that’s felt cursed from the jump.
A Few Bright Spots
Despite the loss - and the injuries - there were a few standout performances worth highlighting:
- TE Elijah Higgins had his best day as a pro, leading the team with seven catches for 91 yards. That’s 13 yards per grab, and nearly double the output of the next closest receiver. He was a reliable target and showed real promise as a pass-catcher.
- RB Michael Carter gave the ground game a little juice, rushing 11 times for 65 yards - a solid 5.9 yards per carry. For a team that’s struggled to find consistency in the run game, Carter’s performance was a welcome sight.
- DL Darius Robinson continues to grow into his role. He posted seven total tackles, recorded a tackle for loss, and recovered a key fumble on fourth down. His confidence is building, and it’s starting to show.
- CB Denzel Burke made his presence felt early with a first-quarter interception off Kirk Cousins. He also added two tackles and showed good instincts in coverage.
- CB Will Johnson had a quietly strong day as well. He finished with three tackles and two pass breakups, spending most of the afternoon shadowing Drake London. London was held to just three catches for 27 yards - and Johnson deserves a lot of credit for that.
Around the Valley: Quick Hits
- Kenny Dillingham is staying put. The Arizona State head coach signed a five-year extension worth $7.5 million annually, locking him in and giving his staff some well-earned raises. That’s big news for the Sun Devils, who now have some stability heading into the offseason.
- ASU Men’s Basketball suffered a tough home loss to Oregon State, 78-75, dropping to 9-4 on the season. A frustrating result, especially after some recent momentum.
- Arizona Wildcats Men’s Basketball remains undefeated at 11-0 after pulling away from San Diego State in Phoenix. Senior Tobe Awaka was a monster on the glass with 15 rebounds, while Mo Krivas added 13 of his own. That frontcourt is a problem for opponents.
- Arizona Wildcats Women’s Basketball tips off at noon today against a 9-3 Utah team at McKale Center.
- D-backs News: Arizona brought back a pair of familiar faces on minor league deals. Right-hander John Curtiss returns to the bullpen, and utility man Ildemaro Vargas is back for a fourth stint with the organization.
The team also traded lefty reliever Kyle Backhus to the Phillies in exchange for High-A outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Merrill Kelly.
What’s Next?
With just two games left, the Cardinals are limping - literally and figuratively - toward the finish line. The draft pick watch is officially on, and with every loss, that selection climbs a little higher.
But for Arizona, the bigger concern now is health. This team can’t afford to lose any more foundational pieces, especially not on the defensive side.
Sunday’s loss was painful, but not because of the scoreboard. It was the injuries that stung the most. And with two games to go, the only goal that matters now might just be survival.