Tag: Arizona Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scores a touchdown against Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Rams eager to extend road dominance vs. Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams will stay on the road in Week 2 on Sunday, although a visit to the Arizona Cardinals will feel extremely comfortable.

The Rams will carry a nine-game road winning streak against the Cardinals into the game at Glendale, Ariz., where both teams will try to rebound from season-opening defeats.

The Rams (0-1) played a bruising yet competitive season opener on the road against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night and rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to take the game into overtime. The Lions won 26-20 when they scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the extra period.

The Rams not only lost wide receiver Puka Nacua to a knee injury, but the already thin offensive line saw both Joe Noteboom (ankle) and Steve Avila (knee) depart. All three were placed on injured reserve this week.

Behind a makeshift line, quarterback Matthew Stafford rallied the Rams in the second half to a 20-20 tie.

Los Angeles even had the ball with just over four minutes remaining and a chance to pad a 20-17 lead, but Stafford and star receiver Cooper Kupp had a miscommunication on fourth down. Detroit sent the game into OT with a field goal in the closing seconds.

“I had a chance to win it,” Stafford said.

Plenty of questions surrounded the Rams after the retirement of defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the offseason.

“We’re a really young team, and we had a lot of things that went our way and didn’t go our way tonight,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “When you come up short, this is a real learning opportunity, growth op for us. I know that this group is going to respond the right way.”

On Wednesday, Los Angeles practiced without tight end Davis Allen (back), offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (foot) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe). Offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hip) were limited.

Though the Cardinals have not defeated the Rams at home since 2014, when their opponent called St. Louis home, they have won in Los Angeles twice in the past four seasons. The Rams are still 13-2 against their division rival, counting playoffs, since 2017.

The Cardinals (0-1) also feel optimistic about the road ahead after a competitive 34-28 defeat to open the season in Buffalo. Arizona led 17-3 late in the first half and were within 31-28 with 8:31 remaining but gained just 26 total yards over their final two possessions.

The Cardinals offense was anything but lackluster in the early going as quarterback Kyler Murray made his return from knee surgery. Murray guided the Cardinals to points on each of their first three drives.

Murray was 21-of-31 passing for 162 yards, with a team-high 57 rushing yards, but he also fumbled deep in his own territory in the third quarter with the score tied 17-all. Five plays later, the Bills scored a touchdown and never trailed again.

“You watch it (against the Bills), probably be frustrated, but the season’s not over,” Murray said. “Been doing this a while now. (Sunday) we have a divisional opponent. The next one is the most important.”

Murray (knee) appeared on the injury report Wednesday but was a full practice participant. Cornerback Max Melton (concussion) was out and wide receiver Xavier Weaver (oblique) was limited. Starting right tackle Jonah Williams (knee) was placed on IR.

The Cardinals intend to make rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. a bigger part of the offense moving forward. The No. 4 overall selection in this year’s draft was targeted just three times and had one catch for 4 yards.

“We’ll find a way to get him involved,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said.

Arizona’s DeeJay Dallas made the NFL’s new “dynamic kickoff” look the part with a 96-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) after a catch in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Down 14, Josh Allen (4 total TDs) rallies Bills past Cardinals

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Josh Allen passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two and the Buffalo Bills rallied from a 14-point deficit to post a 34-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in the season opener for both teams in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Allen completed 18 of 23 passes for 232 yards and touchdowns to Mack Hollins and Khalil Shakir. Allen added 39 yards on nine carries while Greg Rousseau had three sacks and a forced fumble.

Kyler Murray was 21-of-31 passing for 162 yards and one touchdown and had 57 yards on five rushes for the Cardinals. DeeJay Dallas returned a kickoff for a touchdown, James Conner rushed for a score and Michael Wilson had a scoring reception.

Arizona first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. had just one catch for 4 yards in his NFL debut.

Buffalo started slow but began recovering from its 14-point deficit just before the end of the first half when Allen scored on a 7-yard keeper with 19 seconds left. That left the Cardinals with a 17-10 lead.

The Bills knotted the score on their first drive of the third when Allen tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Hollins with 9:51 left in the period.

Nearly four minutes later, Rousseau sacked Murray and forced a fumble, and teammate Dorian Williams recovered at the Arizona 21-yard line. Five plays later, Allen hit Shakir on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Bills a 24-17 lead with 2:37 left.

The Cardinals moved within four on Matt Prater’s 31-yard field goal with 13:32 left in the contest.

Buffalo responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive to make it 31-20. Allen capped it with a 6-yard run in which he leaped over Arizona star Budda Baker, landing in the end zone with 8:44 remaining.

But the Cardinals were quickly re-energized as Dallas returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Conner tacked on a 2-point scoring run to pull within three.

Tyler Bass kicked a 39-yard field goal to give Buffalo a six-point lead with 1:56 remaining.

Arizona’s last gasp ended from the Bills’ 29 when Murray’s fourth-down throw was incomplete to Greg Dortch down the left sideline with 26 seconds to play.

The Cardinals opened the game with a 13-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Murray’s 5-yard scoring pass to Wilson.

Arizona later led 10-0 on Prater’s 29-yard field goal three seconds into the second quarter.

The Bills got on the board with Bass’ 37-yard field goal with 9:47 left in the half. But the Cardinals pushed their lead to 17-3 on Conner’s 3-yard run with 2:40 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Cardinals wide out Xavier Weaver (30) runs with the ball against the Saints during a game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

Cardinals don’t expect WR Xavier Weaver (oblique) to play vs. Bills

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Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver and kick returner Xavier Weaver is not expected to play in Sunday’s season opener at Buffalo because of an oblique injury, coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday.

Weaver, 23, did not participate in practices Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Cardinals’ depth chart lists Weaver as the backup to starting wide receiver Greg Dortch, with the other starters being Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., the team’s top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Arizona signed Weaver as an undrafted free agent. He caught 68 passes for 908 yards and four touchdowns, and ran twice for 15 yards and two scores, in 11 games as a senior for Colorado last season.

He played from 2019-22 for South Florida and totaled 116 receptions for 1,735 yards and eight touchowns.

–Field Level Media

Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson (56) against the New Orleans Saints during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cardinals rookie DL Darius Robinson (calf) to miss multiple weeks

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Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson’s calf injury will cause him to miss multiple weeks, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Robinson hurt his calf during Thursday’s practice, which coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Friday while saying the team was awaiting imaging test results.

A standout at Missouri, Robinson was the Cardinals’ second selection in the first round (27th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft, following Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick.

Robinson is listed as second behind starting defensive tackles Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones on the Cardinals’ depth chart.

Arizona could take advantage of a new rule and place Robinson on injured reserve before all NFL teams must cut their current rosters from 91 down to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. In the past, players on injured reserve before the 53-player roster are out for the entire season. New this year, teams can designate up to two players who are on IR at the 53-player cutdown as eligible to return this season.

Those two players, or any on IR after the cutdown, are required to miss a minimum of four games, which is where Robinson could fit in the team’s plans.

The Cardinals open the season Sept. 8 against the host Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during organized team activities in Tempe on May 20, 2024.

Cardinals WR Zay Jones suspended 5 games for conduct

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The NFL suspended Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones for five games on Friday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones, 29, will have to sit out the season’s first five games without pay and will be eligible to return for a Week 6 game at Green Bay on Oct. 13.

Jones was arrested last November and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm following an alleged altercation with the mother of his child. Florida prosecutors dropped the case in March.

He caught 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns in nine games (seven starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

After being released by the Jaguars in April, Jones signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals worth up to $2.25 million.

Jones has 287 catches for 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns in 104 games (67 starts) with the Buffalo Bills (2017-19), Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2019-21) and Jaguars. Buffalo drafted him in the second round in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals guard Hjalte Froholdt (72) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals sign C Hjalte Froholdt to 2-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals announced a two-year extension with center Hjalte Froholdt on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed for the deal that runs through 2026, but NFL Network put the value at $12 million with $8 million guaranteed.

Froholdt, who turned 28 on Tuesday, started all 17 games and played 99 percent of the offensive snaps in his first season with the Cardinals in 2023.

Born in Denmark, Froholdt was drafted by New England in the fourth round in 2019 out of Arkansas.

He played in eight games for the Patriots in 2020 and 23 games (six starts) with the Cleveland Browns from 2021-22 before joining the Cardinals.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (7) hauls in a reception for a touchdown score during the third quarter of an NFL first round playoff football matchup Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Los Angeles Chargers on a field goal 31-30.

Reports: Cardinals, WR Zay Jones agree on one-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals brought more help for quarterback Kyler Murray, agreeing to terms Friday with free agent receiver Zay Jones, according to multiple reports.

Arizona selected top wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall at the NFL draft last month.

Multiple reports peg the one-year deal with Jones to be worth $4.25 million.

After three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones was released April 30 following the draft, in which the Jaguars selected LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. 23rd overall.

Jones, 29, reportedly also drew interest from the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys.

Selected by the Buffalo Bills 37th overall pick in 2017, Jones also played for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders before spending the past two seasons in Jacksonville.

Jones caught 47 passes for the Raiders in 2021 and 82 for 823 yards in 2022 with the AFC South champion Jaguars.

He started 15 of the 16 games he played in 2022.

Injuries and misdemeanor domestic battery charges were among Jones’ troubles last season, though the court case was subsequently dropped.

Jones played in only nine games in 2023, catching 34 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns.

Over his eight NFL seasons (104 games, 67 starts), Jones has 287 receptions, 3.028 yards and 18 touchdowns..

-Field Level Media

October 15, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (83) before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

WR Greg Dortch signs tender with Cardinals

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Wide receiver Greg Dortch signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the Arizona Cardinals, the team said Wednesday.

Dortch, 25, posted his second straight season with 900-plus all-purpose yards in 2023. After catching one pass in Arizona’s first nine games, he caught 23 balls for 278 yards and two touchdowns in his last seven games.

He has 79 catches for 762 yards and four touchdowns in 37 games (10 starts) since joining the Cardinals ahead of the 2021 season. He has also returned 58 punts for 471 yards and 32 kickoffs for 657 yards with Arizona.

Undrafted out of Wake Forest, Dortch appeared in two games with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 but did not have a reception.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) celebrates after recovering a fumble to score against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals adding DT Bilal Nichols, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting to defense

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Arizona Cardinals are boosting their pass rush with the signing of free-agent defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to a three-year, $21 million contract that includes $14.4 guaranteed, ESPN reported Monday.

The Cardinals also are re-signing offensive lineman Trystan Colon to a one-year, $1.7 million deal with $450,000 guaranteed and worth up to $2 million with incentives, NFL Network reported.

Arizona and former Tennessee Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting have agreed to terms which were not immediately disclosed, NFL Network also reported.

Nichols, 27, started all 34 games the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He had 48 tackles with four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one fumble return for a touchdown in a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

He played on 54 percent of the defensive snaps, compared to 71 percent in 2022 when he totaled 44 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The Chicago Bears selected Nichols in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Delaware. He has totaled 238 tackles, 14 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 44 quarterback hits in 94 games (83 starts) for the Bears (2018-21) and Raiders.

Colon, who will be 26 on March 23, spent his first season in Arizona in 2023 after three years with the Baltimore Ravens (2020-22). He started four of the 14 games he played with the Cardinals last season and has played 34 career games (eight starts).

Murphy-Bunting, 26, was a second-round selection of Tampa Bay in 2019 out of Central Michigan. He played for the Buccaneers from 2019-22 before joining Tennessee as a free agent in March 2023.

He started all 14 games he played for the Titans, making 57 tackles and two interceptions. He has 245 tackles and eight interceptions with one returned for a touchdown in 67 career games (50 starts).

–Field Level Media