The Arizona Cardinals put on pads for the first time in training camp and practiced in them on Saturday. What happened? Here are some of my observations from the afternoon.
Injuries or just a day off?
There were three players known to be out of practice because of injuries. Linebacker Haason Reddick is out for a few weeks after knee surgery. Defensive lineman Vincent Valentine and safety D.J. Swearinger also were day-to-day. However, there were other players either not in pads or not on the field on Saturday.
Running back D.J. Foster was on the field but was not in pads, as were receiver Chad Williams and tackle Marcus Gilbert.
Those who were on the field at all were r defensive tackle Corey Peters and outside linebacker Chandler Jones.
Williams’ absence is probably an injury but with the other three, it might just be a day off, although having one on the first day of pads is unexpected.
Brooks Reed brought back slowly
The outside linebacker was activated off PUP in the morning and practiced but did not go all out. He did positional drills but once the offense went against the defense, he came out, meaning the Cardinals were down a pair of OLBs in 11-on-11 work.
So who played?
With D.J. Swearinger out, veteran Josh Shaw played safety. At right tackle, it was 2018 seventh-round pick Korey Cunningham replacing Marcus Gilbert. In 11-on-11 work, the defense was exclusively in nickel going against the offense, so the defensive line was Darius Philon and Rodney Gunter, but there were some base reps when the defense was on its own and rookie Zach Allen was with the first team.
With Chandler Jones out, Brooks Reed got the early reps but it was Pete Robertson who was out there with Terrell Suggs at outside linebacker.
Mason Cole got first-team reps
On Saturday, Cole played center with the first-team offense, while A.Q. Shipley was with the second team. Coach Kliff Kingsbury believes both are starting centers.
Some interceptions
There were a couple of nice interceptions. Rookie Byron Murphy picked off Brett Hundley and Budda Baker intercepted Kyler Murray in the end zone.
Byron Murphy moved around
Murphy, who could end up in the starting lineup once Patrick Peterson’s suspension begins, moved around. He played outside corner and in the slot with the second-team defense. He also was in the slot with the first team at one point.
Plays that stood out
Brett Hundley and Hakeem Butler connected on a deep pass for a touchdown in WR vs. DB drills.
Chase Edmonds had what would have been a very long run, showing burst through an opening in the offensive line.
Kyler Murray connected with Christian Kirk on a very nice play and also threaded the needle on a pass to KeeSean Johnson when he was tightly covered by Patrick Peterson.
Early look at possibilities in return game
When they worked on the return game, it was only Andy Isabella and Damiere Byrd getting looks at punt returns, and for kick returns it was Isabella, Byrd and T.J. Logan. Pharoh Cooper, who was an All-Pro returner in 2017, did not get any reps at either role. Christian Kirk was with the punt return team briefly.
Some rotations
The first-team offensive line was D.J. Humphries, Justin Pugh, Mason Cole, J.R. Sweezy and Korey Cunningham.
The second-team line was Rees Odhiambo, Tariq Cole, A,Q, Shipley, Colby Gossett and William Sweet.
The first-team cornerbacks were Robert Alford, Patrick Peterson and Tramaine Brock. Nate Brooks, Deatrick Nichols and Byron Murphy played on the second team.
Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Kevin White, Trent Sherfield and KeeSean Johnson all had first-team reps.
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