Cards seem fine despite NFL COVID surge
Despite a surge in COVID-19-related cases throughout the NFL, including a record-setting 37 players on Monday alone and an expected two dozen or more on Tuesday, the Cardinals are confident they’ve managed to stay clear of the virus for now.
Though they just played the Rams on Monday night and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. became the sixth Los Angeles player to go on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in three days, forcing the team to work remotely and enter enhanced COVID protocols, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Arizona isn’t planning on following suit.
“We have not to this point,” Kingsbury said Tuesday, a day after the Cardinals’ 30-23 loss at State Farm Stadium. “No, we don’t have any reported cases as of today, so we’re status quo.”
The Cardinals were without defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson on Monday night due to COVID protocols, but the fact the team didn’t report any positive tests or close-contact breaches was an encouraging sign.
Kingsbury said it’s troubling to see such a surge of cases throughout the league at this point in the season.
“Yeah, it’s tough, obviously. You wish you weren’t in this place this far into it with a lot of meaningful games in this league coming up,” he said. “You hate for it to be effected that way. Everyone’s safety is first and foremost and I think this league has done a tremendous job with the protocols.
“I know from our training staff ’s perspective and all the things they do for us we feel like we’re in good hands, but it’s definitely unfortunate it’s happening at this time of the year.”
Injury update
Kingsbury said wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) and running back James Conner (ankle) were each getting MRI exams on Tuesday and their status for Sunday’s game in Detroit against the Lions won’t be known for at least another day or two.
Quarterback Kyler Murray also appeared to be hobbling after the game. Kingsbury said Murray’s left ankle, which he sprained and caused him to miss three consecutive games recently, was just a little sore. He added that Murray did not suffer a setback, “which is good.”
Left guard Justin Pugh (calf) was active for Monday’s game but held out for precautionary reasons. He is expected to return to the starting lineup against Detroit, according to Kingsbury.
Dealing with Donald
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald had his worst passing-rushing grade of his career in Week 4 against the Cardinals, per Pro Football Focus. Monday night, however, he was a wrecking ball.
In addition to sacking Murray three times for 35 yards, Donald had 14 quarterback hurries. As a team, the Cardinals had only 10.
“He’s been that way since I’ve coached against him, for sure,” Kingsbury said. “I thought he was tremendous last night. It was one of those deals where great players step up when his partner in crime, (cornerback Jalen) Ramsey, wasn’t out there. You could tell he knew he had to control more of the load and get pressure and try to help some of those young players they have in the secondary and they did.
“I just have a ton of respect for him, the way he plays the game, and he definitely had a major impact on the outcome.”
Bouncing back
The Cardinals have now lost three of their past five games, but they haven’t lost consecutive games once this season. Kingsbury said he expects his players to rebound from Monday night’s defeat just as they did after losing to the Panthers and Packers.
“We’ve responded well to this point, so hopefully we do that again on a short week,” he said. “We flushed it last night, discussed it, talked about moving forward to this Detroit game and making sure we put our best foot forward all week in practice and play the best game we’ve played all year.
“That’s kind of the goal every week.”
Not looking ahead
Though they lost hold of the No.1 playoff seed in the NFC and dropped to No. 3 behind the Packers and Buccaneers in addition to failing to clinch a playoff spot Monday night, the Cardinals can still assure themselves of a postseason berth with a win over the Lions or losses by both the Vikings and 49ers.
Kingsbury said any playoff-scenario talk isn’t being discussed by the Cardinals.
“We won’t,” he said. “That’s kind of outside this building. We’re getting ready for Detroit. I talked about that last night, ‘Hey, when we come into the building today, make sure you’re focused and your head’s in the right place. That’s what’s important, is this week.”
Roster moves
The team announced it has released long snapper Beau Brinkley from the active roster and linebacker Nate Hall from the practice squad.