Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) tries to evade New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024.

Cardinals bid to make postseason push in clash vs. Panthers

The Arizona Cardinals consider themselves to be in a must-win situation across the final few weeks of the season.

And that will be so true on Sunday when they visit the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.

“From here on out, we got to win them all and that’s our mindset going into everything,” Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams said. “But there’s definitely a heightened sense of urgency.”

The Cardinals (7-7) are flirting with NFC playoff position after halting a three-game losing streak with a 30-17 victory over the visiting New England Patriots last weekend.

The Panthers (3-11), who have lost four games in a row, hold the third-worst record in the NFL. Sunday will mark the team’s home finale.

“Here we go, we’ve got another challenge,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “They’re going to keep coming.”

Carolina lost tight games to divisional leaders Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia before dropping a 30-14 decision to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.

In Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon’s view, that turnover-ravaged result can be dismissed when assessing the Panthers.

“I think if you look, their last six games they’ve played really good ball,” Gannon said. “I think they’ve turned the corner. We’re going to have to play our brand of ball if we want to win.”

Carolina quarterback Bryce Young committed four turnovers against Dallas, but he had a strong stretch of outings leading into that game. Gannon said he sees creativity from the Panthers when it comes to using Young, a second-year quarterback.

“I think he has really taken a step forward with the play-making capabilities,” Gannon said. “Obviously, he’s mobile and that’s real.”

Yet Young’s gaffes last week have pushed his season totals to nine interceptions and eight touchdown throws. He has run for three touchdowns.

“I’m really hoping for Bryce to just take that next step, to execute the game plan,” Canales said. “To be special when called upon.”

The Cardinals made off-field moves that might bode well in the big picture, including in the final weeks of this season.

Safety Budda Baker, running back James Conner and center Hjalte Froholdt were given contract extensions. With those decisions, there’s a heightened level of buy-in for those players and the team. Baker has been a captain for five seasons.

“I think they help keep everybody in alignment and they’re premier players,” Gannon said. “And they’re good people, and that’s who we want to build the team around.”

Conner has rushed for a team-high 973 yards this year. He’s coming off a 110-yard outing at New England for his second-highest total of the season and his fifth time reaching 100 yards this year.

Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark earlier this month, but he was held to the second-lowest total of the season with 32 yards on the ground last week. Carolina running back Raheem Blackshear (chest) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

But Panthers linebackers Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus are out for the season after going on injured reserve.

“It could be a great opportunity for (other) guys to get in there and see what they can do,” Canales said.

The Cardinals have adjusted their roster, notably on special teams. Kicker Matt Prater is eligible to return for the first time since Week 4 following knee surgery. Punter Michael Palardy was added to the roster.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Budda Baker, Cards agree to 3-year, $54M extension

Six-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, who ranks second in the NFL in tackles this season, agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old veteran, who is in his eighth season with Arizona, could have been a free agent this coming offseason, sparking speculation that the Cardinals might trade him.

The deal would include $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network and ESPN. The two-time All-Pro reportedly will be the NFL’s third- or fourth-highest paid safety in terms of average annual salary.

Arizona enters the weekend at 7-7, one game behind the NFC West co-leaders, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals are also ninth in the NFC but mathematically alive for a wild-card berth.

The Cardinals travel to face the 3-11 Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and Baker, who has 142 tackles this season, is just five shy of his career high with three games left in the regular season. Only Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (144) has more tackles this season.

Baker, known as a strong locker room figure, has two sacks and three passes defensed this year. In 119 career games (109 starts), he has compiled 879 tackles, 9.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 37 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

In 2020, Baker signed a four-year, $59 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid safety at the time.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked by New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cardinals stay in playoff picture with win over Patriots

James Conner rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns Sunday as the Arizona Cardinals stayed in the NFC West race with a 30-17 win over the New England Patriots in Glendale, Ariz.

Conner blew it open in the fourth quarter with a pair of 1-yard scores as Arizona (7-7) snapped a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Kyler Murray completed 23 of 30 passes for 224 yards as the Cardinals outgained New England 395-311.

Rookie quarterback Drake Maye hit 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Patriots, who fell to 3-11. Rhamondre Stevenson led their rushing attack with 69 yards on 13 attempts.

Arizona is 1 1/2 games behind Seattle, pending the outcome of the Seahawks’ game against Green Bay on Sunday night. The Cardinals lost both games to the Seahawks this season, so they lose any tiebreaker for the division title.

Arizona established a 10-0 lead in the first quarter as former New England kicker Chad Ryland hit the first of his three field goals, a 49-yarder, at the 7:13 mark. Then Jonah Williams recovered Greg Dortch’s fumble in the end zone with 1:21 remaining in the period.

Joey Slye nailed a 50-yard field goal with 2:01 left in the first half to get the Patriots on the board, but Ryland answered by hitting a 35-yard attempt with 16 seconds remaining for a 13-3 lead at the break.

Ryland made it 16-3 with a 40-yard field goal at the 9:07 mark of the third quarter, capping a drive that ate nearly six minutes of clock. The first of Conner’s touchdown runs came with 10:39 left in the game for a three-score lead.

New England got into the end zone on its next possession via Maye’s 3-yard scoring strike to DeMario Douglas with 8:14 remaining. But Conner sealed the outcome on his second touchdown run with 3:27 on the clock.

Maye capped the scoring with a 5-yard run at the 1:55 mark, capping a 70-yard drive.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 8, 2024.

Cardinals face Patriots, look to stay in playoff hunt

With their playoff chances slipping away, the Arizona Cardinals will host the New England Patriots on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.

Both teams are on three-game losing streaks, but while the Patriots (3-10) are in last place in the AFC East and long ago lost hope for a postseason berth, the Cardinals (6-7) are crunching the numbers to figure out how they can remain in the chase.

Arizona is two games out of both the NFC West lead and the last wild-card spot, giving them two options to chase. While they would need to jump three teams to land a wild-card berth, they have to slip past two teams — the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams — to take the division.

None of it matters if the Cardinals can’t get past the Patriots, and even then a victory would merely mean an 11 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, according to the NFL’s playoff probability counter.

Arizona’s most recent defeat came against the NFC West-leading Seahawks, 30-18 after giving up 17 points in the first quarter last Sunday. It was their second loss to the Seahawks, giving Seattle the tiebreaker between the teams, essentially putting Arizona three games back in the division if the Seahawks win out.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passed for 259 yards but threw an interception on one first-quarter drive, then threw another pick on his first pass of the next possession.

“Heavy is the crown, I tell him,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said of Murray. “He gets a lot of blame, and he gets a lot of praise, too. That’s life in the National Football League as the franchise quarterback.”

James Conner had 90 yards rushing on 18 carries for Arizona, and Trey McBride had seven receptions for 70 yards. But the Cardinals’ defense gave up 176 rushing yards, including 134 to Zach Charbonnet.

“I’ve got to find some answers,” Gannon said. “We haven’t played good ball the last couple of weeks, and that falls on me.”

The Patriots will enter off their bye week after getting an extra week to correct mistakes made during consecutive defeats to the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

In a 25-24 loss in their most recent game, on Dec. 1 against the Colts, the Patriots surrendered a 19-play, 80-yard drive — and the go-ahead touchdown — with 12 seconds remaining.

New England quarterback Drake Maye threw for 238 yards with one touchdown and one interception that came on New England’s opening drive of the second half. In his rookie season, Maye has fared well, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,696 yards, 11 TDs and eight interceptions in nine games (eight starts).

“Really, the goal remains the same, and that’s to play our best football at the end of the year,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said. “It’s all about winning. … It’s all about going out there, playing complementary football, and that’s what we want to see.”

The Cardinals were without running back Emari Demercado (back) and punter Blake Gillikin (foot) in practice Wednesday, while defensive linemen Naquan Jones (shoulder), Roy Lopez (ankle) and Darius Robinson (calf) were among those with limited participation.

The Patriots were without wide receiver Javon Baker (concussion) on Wednesday, as well as cornerback Marcus Jones (illness). Limited participants included safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (knee), and offensive lineman Cole Strange (knee).

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 8, 2024.

Seahawks sweep Cardinals, retain NFC West’s top spot

Zach Charbonnet rushed for a career-high 134 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Seattle Seahawks remained atop the NFC West with a 30-18 victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a 19-yard scoring strike from Geno Smith and Jason Myers kicked three field goals for the Seahawks (8-5), who have won four consecutive games since their bye week — including two against Arizona.

Smith completed 24 of 30 passes for 233 yards and Charbonnet, starting for the injured Kenneth Walker III (calf), added a team-high seven receptions for 59 yards.

Arizona’s Kyler Murray was 25-of-38 passing for 259 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. James Conner rushed for 90 yards on 18 carries and Trey McBride made seven receptions for 70 yards for the Cardinals (6-7), who lost their third in a row.

Murray threw back-to-back interceptions late in the first quarter, leading to two Seahawks touchdowns.

Ernest Jones IV picked off the first, giving Seattle the ball at the Cardinals’ 19-yard line. Smith found Smith-Njigba in the back right corner of the end zone on the next play, giving the Seahawks a 10-7 lead.

Coby Bryant intercepted Murray’s next pass, putting the ball at Arizona’s 46. Five plays later, Charbonnet scored on a 1-yard run.

Chad Ryland kicked a 28-yard field goal to pull the Cardinals within 17-10, but Charbonnet scored on a 51-yard run with 2:36 left in the second quarter to give Seattle a 24-10 lead at the intermission.

Conner scored on a 2-yard shovel pass from Murray with 1:05 left in the third quarter and Murray ran for a two-point conversion to make it 27-18, but that was as close as the Cardinals would get.

The Cardinals, who were limited to a pair of field goals in a 16-6 loss at Seattle on Nov. 24, found the end zone on the game’s opening possession, as Murray hit Michael Wilson with a 41-yard scoring strike down the right sideline.

Wilson beat Bryant, who had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first meeting between the teams.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) avoids a tackle during the third quarter and is chased by New York Jets safety Chuck Clark (36) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Seahawks will be without RB Kenneth Walker III (calf) vs. Cardinals

The Seattle Seahawks ruled out leading rusher Kenneth Walker III from Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a calf injury.

Walker was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report before being downgraded to out on Saturday.

Walker has rushed for 542 yards and seven touchdowns this season, his third with Seattle. He rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie and 905 yards and eight scores last season.

Zach Charbonnet will start in place of Walker. The second-year pro has 266 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season.

Charbonnet started twice earlier this season while Walker was sidelined by an oblique injury. He had career bests of 91 yards and two touchdowns on the ground during a 24-3 rout of the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sept. 22.

Kenny McIntosh, who has four carries for 16 yards, will be the backup running back against Arizona. Seattle elevated George Holani from the practice squad to be the No. 3 running back. Holani is a rookie from Boise State.

Seattle also elevated punter Ty Zentner from the practice squad on Saturday. Regular punter Michael Dickson (back) was unable to punt in the fourth quarter of last week’s victory over the New York Jets and is listed as questionable.

Also, cornerback Tre Brown (hamstring) was added to the injury report as doubtful.

The contest is a big one for the NFC West as Seattle (7-5) leads the division by one game over Arizona (6-6) and the Los Angeles Rams (6-6).

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) reacts during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Seahawks head to Arizona on stay-ahead mission in division race

Before the season began, most NFL pundits likely would’ve considered the Week 14 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals a game with NFC West ramifications such as avoiding last place or fighting for draft position.

Instead, for the second time in three weeks, the Seahawks and Cardinals will be playing with the division lead on the line on Sunday when they meet in Glendale, Ariz.

And this time, it’s the Seahawks who are out front.

Seattle (7-5) has won three consecutive games for the second time this season — sandwiched around a 1-5 stretch — to take a one-game lead over Arizona (6-6) and the Los Angeles Rams (6-6). The injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers (5-7) reside in the cellar.

The Seahawks beat visiting Arizona 16-6 on Nov. 24 as defensive back Coby Bryant returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown and Leonard “Big Cat” Williams had four quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks of Kyler Murray.

Williams was even better last Sunday in a 26-21 victory at the New York Jets, as he had two sacks, three tackles for loss, a blocked extra point and a 92-yard interception return — the longest pick-6 in NFL history by a defensive lineman.

He became the first player since 1982 with multiple sacks, an interception return for a touchdown and a blocked kick in a game. He was named the NFC defensive player of the week.

“He’s just playing at an all-time elite level,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “He’s playing out of his mind right now.”

The Seahawks have some question marks on special teams. Seattle allowed a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown last week and fumbled three fielded kickoffs of their own — losing two. Plus, Michael Dickson was unable to punt in the fourth quarter because of back spasms.

Seattle released returner Laviska Shenault Jr. on Monday. One option could be sure-handed veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The 32-year-old has experience in the punt return game. No. 3 running back Kenny McIntosh was a kickoff returner at Georgia and has two returns this season. Undrafted free agent rookie defensive back Dee Williams is the lone player on the roster to return a punt this season (21 fair catches, 15 returns, 7.4-yard average).

“I’d say both returner spots in the punt and the kickoff return game we’re working through still, so we don’t have an answer quite yet,” Macdonald said.

Arizona lost 23-22 last Sunday at Minnesota and dropped consecutive games to yield the division lead to Seattle. The Cardinals never trailed until the Vikings’ Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:13 remaining.

The Cardinals managed just one touchdown and settled for five field goals, in part because they committed 10 penalties that cost them 96 yards.

“I thought we moved the ball well,” said Murray, who threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.”

Coach Jonathan Gannon admitted his team was frustrated after struggling the past two weeks.

“They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.”

Murray fed tight end Trey McBride — up to 73 catches and 32 more than the team’s second-leading receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (41) — who caught all 12 targets and has back-to-back 12-catch games. That includes 12-133 in the first meeting with the Seahawks.

Williams (foot) was one of only two Seahawks to miss time this week because of an injury, although he has practiced sparingly over the past two weeks. The other was right tackle Abe Lucas, who has been getting some time off after offseason knee surgery. Dickson was a limited participant in practice, though Macdonald seemed optimistic the punter would be ready by Sunday. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), who could come off the injured list this week, was a full participant in practice.

The Cardinals didn’t have anyone miss practice this week because of injuries, although defensive linemen Darius Robinson (calf) and Dante Stills (back) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) fights off the tackle of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) and linebacker Blake Cashman (51) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Late TD catch caps Vikings rally to beat Cardinals

Sam Darnold threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Aaron Jones with 1:13 remaining, and the Minnesota Vikings stormed back for a 23-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Darnold completed 21 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota (10-2), which never led until the final 73 seconds. Justin Jefferson had a team-high seven catches for 99 yards, and Johnny Mundt joined Jones with a touchdown reception.

Kyler Murray completed 31 of 45 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Arizona (6-6). Marvin Harrison Jr. had a touchdown reception for the Cardinals, and James Conner led the team with 68 rushing yards.

The Vikings trailed 19-6 late in the third quarter before rallying to score 17 of the final 20 points. In doing so, the Vikings secured their fifth straight victory.

Jones darted out of the backfield and caught a pass in stride for a 5-yard touchdown to complete the Vikings’ comeback. The score capped an eight-play, 70-yard drive that took 2:07 off the clock.

Arizona had a chance to respond when it got the ball back at its 30-yard line with 1:13 to go and three timeouts. Murray struggled against the Vikings’ pass rush on the final drive, which ended with an interception by defensive back Shaq Griffin.

The Cardinals inched to a 9-6 lead at halftime thanks to three field goals from Chad Ryland. Minnesota got two first-half field goals from John Parker Romo.

Ryland’s fourth field goal gave Arizona a 12-6 lead with 8:33 left in the third quarter.

Harrison tallied the game’s first touchdown on a 15-yard reception. Murray rolled right and lofted a pass toward the back of the end zone for Harrison, who made the catch and got two feet in bounds to make it 19-6 with 4:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Minnesota answered with a touchdown on the following possession to pull within 19-13 with 1:17 to play in the third quarter. Darnold hit Mundt for a 4-yard score.

Romo made a 31-yard field goal to cut the Vikings’ deficit to 19-16 with 11:08 left.

Arizona pulled ahead 22-16 on Ryland’s fifth field goal, this time from 23 yards, with 3:20 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Glendale, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates as he walks off the field after their 41-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium.

Cardinals RB James Conner signs 2-year extension

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner signed a two-year contract extension on Saturday.

Financial terms were not announced by the team, however multiple media outlets reported the deal was worth $19 million.

Conner, who will turn 30 in May, will be under contract through the 2026 season. He was scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

Conner has 166 carries for 705 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games (all starts) this season. He also has 29 catches for 288 yards.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Conner has rushed for 5,581 yards and 56 touchdowns to go along with 263 receptions for 2,091 yards and 10 scores in 102 career games (76 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cardinals.

Conner was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Vikings return home in search of 5th straight win

The Minnesota Vikings will aim for their second five-game winning streak this season when they host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Minnesota (9-2) is coming off a 30-27 overtime win on the road against the division rival Chicago Bears last Sunday. The Vikings have won each of their past three games on the road, and they return home for the first time since beating the Indianapolis Colts 21-13 four weeks ago.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said his players are eager to return to their home turf.

“When they hit the field, they’re going to be jacked to be back in front of our fans,” said O’Connell, whose team began the season 5-0. “We know it’ll be an unbelievable atmosphere. We’ve got to give them something to be excited about.”

Arizona (6-5) will try to get back to its winning ways after losing 16-6 on the road against the Seattle Seahawks last week. The defeat snapped a four-game winning streak for the Cardinals, who started the season 2-4 but have gone 4-1 since then.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon knows that this game, followed by a rematch against Seattle, could prove pivotal for his team’s postseason hopes. Two wins would put Arizona at 8-5; two losses put the team below .500.

And in the tight NFC West, every game seems particularly critical from here on out. Despite sitting only one game above break even, the Cardinals enter Week 13 tied for the division lead with the Seahawks. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers each are a game back at 5-6. The Cardinals have one game remaining with each of the three teams.

“We’re in playoff football right now, is what it is,” Gannon said. “We don’t shy away from that. With the holiday coming up, you can be thankful we’re playing meaningful games right now. Because we’ve earned that right. But it really doesn’t mean you-know-what.”

Kyler Murray owns a 98.0 passer rating, throwing for 2,343 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has 380 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

James Conner is Arizona’s top backfield threat with 705 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Trey McBride has a team-high 61 catches for 685 yards.

For Minnesota, Sam Darnold has taken full advantage of his opportunity to show the rest of the league that he can be a capable starter. He has a 101.7 passer rating and has thrown for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

But Darnold’s recent performance is very much a mirror of the Vikings’ play during their second month-long winning streak of the season — not nearly as impressive as the first streak, but still good enough to win. The 27-year-old has thrown five interceptions during the four-game stretch (though none in the last two games). After throwing 11 TDs in his first four games, he has seven in his past four.

And the Vikings have struggled to put teams away in November, winning by eight, five, 10 and three points. Against the Bears, Minnesota blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead — including surrendering 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation before escaping in OT.

Aaron Jones has 1,083 yards from scrimmage (798 rushing, 285 receiving) and four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) for the Vikings. Justin Jefferson leads the team with 61 catches for 939 yards and five touchdowns.

The Vikings signed ex-New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones this week. Jones provides the team with depth but the offense belongs to Darnold as the playoff push approaches.

The Vikings will play without linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who was placed on injured reserve this week because of a hamstring strain. Tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) is uncertain for this weekend. Safety Jay Ward (elbow) joined Oliver in sitting out practice Wednesday.

The Cardinals had several players who were limited in practice to start the week. The group included safety Jalen Thompson (ankle), running back Emari Demercado (back) and offensive lineman Jonah Williams (shoulder).

This will be the teams’ first meeting since Oct. 30, 2022, when the Vikings won 34-26 at home.

–Field Level Media