WR John Brown suffers setback with hamstring
The Cardinals and receiver John Brown thought they had learned how to handle the pain and fatigue Brown experienced as a result of carrying the sicklecell trait. That changed in the second quarter against the Falcons last week when Brown’s hamstring tightened, forcing him out of the game.
Brown experienced the same tightness while running on Wednesday, and he and the Cardinals medical team again are trying to find a workout and recovery routine that works for Brown.
“Saw every specialist that we can see,” coach Bruce Arians said. “He was fine and then it just comes back.”
It’s been a difficult year physically for Brown. He missed most of training camp with a concussion and then dealt with soreness in his legs during the season.
Those were originally thought to be hamstring strains, but when the pain persisted Brown underwent additional tests, revealing the sickle-cell trait.
Brown, who had 1,003 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last year, has 399 yards and one score this season.
“You take 1,000 yards out (of the offense) and about 50 explosive plays, it hurts a bunch,” Arians said.
Brown was not available for comment. Quarterback Carson Palmer is close to Brown and said this season has been a physical and mental struggle for the receiver.
“It’s been a tough year, away from football,” Palmer said, “trying to figure out what his workload is in the week and what his workload is on Sundays, how to stop what happened last Sunday from happening again. He’s in the learning process trying to figure it out. You can just pray for him and be there for him and do whatever you can for him.”
Position switch
The Cardinals drafted Logan Thomas as a quarterback in 2014 and when it became obvious he couldn’t play that position in the NFL, team officials asked if he would be willing to play tight end.
Thomas declined, saying he wanted to stay at quarterback.
Thomas recently had a change of heart. On Monday, the Lions signed him to the practice squad as a tight end. On Wednesday, the Bills signed Thomas to their 53-man squad.
Asked for his reaction to Thomas’ position switch, Arians replied: “Didn’t really have any.”
Injury update
Six Cardinals missed practice on Wednesday, but all but Brown are expected to take part in at least some of Thursday’s work.
Cornerback Justin Bethel (foot), tight end Jermaine Gresham (flu) and cornerback Patrick Peterson (knee) are expected back. Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald haven’t been practicing on Wednesdays in recent weeks.
The following players were limited on Wednesday: receiver Michael Floyd (hamstring), linebacker Markus Golden (ankle), safety Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (foot).
For Washington, defensive Anthony Lanier II (shin) and tight end Jordan Reed (shoulder) did not practice.