FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
–OUT: DE Rasheem Green (ankle), LB K.J. Wright (knee)
–DOUBTFUL: C Ethan Pocic (ankle), RB C.J. Prosise (abdomen)
–QUESTIONABLE: WR Doug Baldwin (knee), RB Chris Carson (hip), S Delano Hill (hamstring), DE Dion Jordan (hip)
ARIZONA CARDINALS
–QUESTIONABLE: WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), DT Robert Nkemdiche (knee), DT Corey Peters (elbow), DT Olsen Pierre (toe), T Andre Smith (elbow)
PLAYER NOTES
–CB Patrick Peterson will make his 116th consecutive start for the Cardinals on Sunday against Seattle. That’s the third-longest such streak in the NFL among active defensive backs behind only the Baltimore Ravens’ Brandon Carr (165) and the Detroit Lions’ Grover Quin (135). Peterson is the first Cardinals’ player since at least 1970 to start 100 or more consecutive games to begin his career.
–K Phil Dawson needs one more field goal will to ahead of Jason Elam (436) for the eighth-most in NFL history.
–WR Larry Fitzgerald needs one more receiving touchdown to tie former tight end Tony Gonzalez for seventh on the NFL’s all-time list with 111.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Josh Rosen was one of four quarterbacks selected in the top 10 in the first round of the 2018 draft, joining Baker Mayfield (1st overall to the Browns), Sam Darnold (3rd overall to the Jets) and Josh Allen (7th overall to the Bills). It marked the first time since 1949 that there were four quarterbacks selected in the top 10 of the draft. Rosen, who was selected 10th overall by Arizona, has vowed to make every team that passed on him regret their decision for not drafting him. He makes his first start Sunday against the Seahawks, replacing veteran Sam Bradford, and according to coach Steve Wilks, “I don’t think it’s too big for him.”
GAME PLAN: With Rosen now under center and set to make his NFL debut as a full-time starter, he should be able to invigorate an Arizona offense that has been stale since Week 1. He offers far more mobility than the man he replaced, Sam Bradford, and you can definitely expect to see that part of his game utilized robustly on rollouts and bootlegs. That aspect should give his receivers a little bit more time to gain some separation, which they never seemed to make with Bradford as the signal caller through the season’s first three weeks. Look for Rosen to not only try and get running back David Johnson more heavily involved in the running game, but the passing game as well. Rosen also will target veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald early and often to establish some smart rhythm to open the game. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who made his season debut last week after a long fight back from an Achilles’ injury, also will make for a friendly target.
Defensively, the Cardinals haven’t exactly kept it a secret that they frequently rely on their nickel-defensive package, often utilizing five to six defensive backs and rarely sticking with their 4-3 base. They’ve been exposed, however, during much of their zone coverage displays when they have their corners playing eight to 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. They may have to revert to more press-man coverage against the Seahawks or Russell Wilson could pick them apart. Keep an eye on the cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson, where coach Steve Wilks has been contemplating a starting change from Jamar Taylor to Bene’ Benwikere. They were splitting first-team reps in practice this week. Containing the edge to keep Wilson from scrambling and throwing on the run, where he is so extremely dangerous, will be paramount for defensive ends Chandler Jones and either Markus Golden or Benson Mayowa.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Cardinals CB Jamar Taylor or Bene’ Benwikere vs. Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett. Cardinals coach Steve Wilks planned to use the entire week to determine which corner he planned to start opposite Patrick Peterson, but whichever man wins the starting job, he’ll have to do a masterful job of shadowing Lockett, who has speed to burn and is one double-move away from breaking away from his defender. With Peterson expected to shadow Doug Baldwin, who’s been nursing a sore knee, the Cardinals might be better served opting out of their zone coverage and playing more press-man defense, especially on Lockett, if for no other reason than to slow him down off the snap of the ball.
–Cardinals DT Robert Nkemdiche vs. Seahawks RG D.J. Fluker. Nkemdiche has been getting great push in his first three games as a starter and he’s been the disruptive force the Cardinals were banking on him finally becoming in his third NFL season. He’ll need to bring the same drive and energy this week against Fluker, who made his Seattle debut last week and looked as good as advertised, especially as a run blocker. He missed the first two games with a hamstring issue. If Fluker has trouble staving off Nkemdiche, the Cardinals have a shot at ruining the Seahawks’ running game.
