–The Cardinals parted ways with quarterback Sam Bradford over the weekend, releasing the veteran in order to open up a valuable roster spot, according to head coach Steve Wilks.
“From a standpoint of need position-wise throughout the year, particularly this time when guys are getting hurt, we did what we thought was best for the team,” Wilks said. “We needed that position to be able to add quality depth at different positions on the team.”
Bradford was benched in favor of rookie quarterback Josh Rosen during the fourth quarter of Arizona’s Week 3 game against Chicago. He was demoted to third-string inactive status the following week and never appeared in another game.
–Backup guard/tackle John Wetzel was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury. Wetzel wound up starting five games because of injuries up and down the line.
“He brought so much position flexibility, being able to play tackle as well as moving inside at guard,” head coach Steve Wilks said. “But again, with pro personnel, (general manager) Steve Keim and those guys, I think we’ve brought some quality guys in. So, we’ll see here moving forward.”
–“It’s awesome. I used to have an Eagles shirt when I was a kid that said, ‘Our coach will eat yours.’ I was a huge Andy Reid fan. Him and Mike Vick and the DeSean Jackson days were very fun to watch. I’ll never forget, still (remember) very vividly, my mom would – we didn’t really have TiVo – so she would have a video recorder and record the TV screen. I was at a Pop Warner practice and came back, and it was the Redskins game. She showed me and said, ‘Hey, there’s a surprise for you on the first play.’ It was the naked boot when he (Vick) bombed it like 80 yards to DeSean Jackson. I remember it like it was yesterday after Pop Warner practice.” — Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, who grew up as an Eagles’ fan, on playing against Andy Reid.
–With John Wetzel done for the season due to a neck injury, the Cardinals signed undrafted rookie free agent lineman Zack Golditch, who already has spent time this season with the Chargers, 49ers and Colts. He’s presently listed as Arizona’s second-string right tackle, but can also play both guard positions and also handle backup center duties in an emergency.
Golditch was struck in the neck by a bullet during the mass shooting in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater back in 2012. He was 17 at the time and getting ready for his senior season as a two-way star for the Gateway High School football team.
“Luckily for me, I didn’t see people die. I didn’t see people get horribly wounded. I didn’t hear their screams,” Golditch said. “I was in a different theater. There were only a few people who were wounded where I was at. I ran out and I was bleeding pretty badly, but I didn’t see some of the things that other people did. That made it a little bit easier.”
–“No, it doesn’t. I don’t really pay attention to that stuff. I’ve got a lot of things to worry about besides that. Again, we’re taking it one at a time. The great thing about this game, I’ve said before, the outcome is determined on the field, and that’s where we want to make sure we do our business.” – Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks when asked if being listed as opening 17-point underdogs against the Chiefs will serve as any motivation to him or his players.
BY THE NUMBERS: 15 – Consecutive games running back David Johnson has gone without rushing for at least 100 yards. His highest rushing total this season came in a Week 4 loss to the Seahawks when he ran for 71 yards on 22 carries. His last 100-yard rushing game came in 2016 when he rushed for 103 yards against the Vikings on Nov. 20. Johnson suffered a fractured wrist in the 2017 season opener and missed the rest of the year.
