Tag: Cards

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior football consultant Bruce Arians reacts with quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Dallas Cowboys during a wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Former NFL coach Bruce Arians to have open-heart surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians announced on the “Today” show that he will undergo open-heart surgery on Friday in Philadelphia.

Arians, 73, made the announcement while appearing on the show this week to promote an upcoming prostate cancer screening Super Bowl commercial with tight end Rob Gronkowski. Arians had prostate cancer in 2007.

A two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, Arians guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship during the 2020 season. He posted a 31-18 record during his three seasons with the Buccaneers (2019-21) before stepping down for health reasons. He serves as a front office consultant for the team in an unofficial role.

Arians also went 49-30-1 during his five seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2013-17).

He also won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the team’s wide receivers coach in Super Bowl XL and its offensive coordinator in Super Bowl XLIII.

–Field Level Media

Report: Cards LT Paris Johnson Jr. nursing sprained MCL

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Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is considered week-to-week while dealing with a sprained MCL, NFL Network reported on Tuesday.

Johnson, who is leading his position in the voting for the Pro Bowl, sustained the injury during the third quarter of Arizona’s 45-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Undrafted rookie Josh Fryar replaced Johnson in that game and likely would do so again this Sunday when the Cardinals (3-10) visit the Houston Texans (8-5).

Johnson, 24, has started all 12 games in which he has played this season and all 43 in his career since being selected by Arizona with the sixth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

–Field Level Media

Rams thump Cardinals, move back on top NFC

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Matthew Stafford threw for three touchdowns, Puka Nacua had two TD receptions and the Los Angeles Rams moved back on top of the NFC with a 45-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Glendale, Ariz.

Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 281 yards as the Rams (10-3) regained the top playoff seed in the conference after falling from that perch with a loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. The Rams jumped the Chicago Bears, who lost Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, and hold the tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks, though the NFC West teams will meet on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

Blake Corum ran for two TDs, Kyren Williams also ran for a score, while Colby Parkinson caught a scoring strike from Stafford, who raised his NFL lead in TD passes to 35.

Jacoby Brissett completed 25 of 44 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals (3-10) lost their fifth straight game and dropped to 1-6 at home. Michael Wilson caught 11 passes for 142 yards and two TDs, while NFL receptions leader Trey McBride had five catches to bring his season total to 93.

Arizona, which was eliminated from playoff contention last week, had 51 yards rushing to 249 for Los Angeles.

The Cardinals took the opening drive of the game 67 yards for a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard TD reception from Wilson. The Rams responded with a 26-yard field goal from Harrison Mevis.

The Rams went up 10-7 on a 2-yard TD run from Corum late in the first quarter before the Cardinals tied it 10-10 on a 38-yard field goal from Chad Ryland in the second quarter.

The Rams took over from there, closing the first half on a 2-yard TD run from Williams and a 28-yard TD reception from Nacua to take a 24-10 lead. Los Angeles made it 31-10 on Parkinson’s 6-yard TD catch early in the third quarter.

Nacua’s second TD reception came on a 31-yard pass late in the third, one play after an interception from Nate Landman. Corum gave Los Angeles another one-play drive with a 48-yard run on the Rams’ first play of the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals ended Los Angeles’ run of 35 consecutive points on Wilson’s 14-yard TD catch with 11:08 left to cut the deficit to 45-17.

Rams head coach Sean McVay did not arrive in Arizona until Sunday morning as he dealt with an illness, but guided the team the entire game from the sideline.

–Field Level Media

Fresh off rare loss, Rams pursue proper response vs. Cards

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After their run of domination to the top of the NFC ended last weekend in what seemed like an instant, the Los Angeles Rams will get a chance at redemption Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Glendale, Ariz.

The Rams took a six-game winning streak into last Sunday’s road game against the Carolina Panthers and continued to assert themselves with a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford on their opening drive. It gave Stafford an NFL-record 28 consecutive TD passes without an interception.

The sudden reversal in form was jarring. Stafford’s run ended with an interception on the next possession, and he threw a second pick two passes later that was returned for a touchdown in Los Angeles’ 31-28 loss.

The Rams’ defense allowed a pair of second-half touchdowns on long fourth-down plays.

“It was just not the level of execution we’re accustomed to,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “I think the best thing is, our players and coaches are more connected. There is an ownership, an accountability and there is a security to acknowledge where we can improve and move forward. … This is a great opportunity for us to respond.”

Los Angeles is still one of two teams with an NFC-best 9-3 record, but the Chicago Bears now hold the No. 1 playoff seed in the conference.

The Rams sound confident that the loss was merely a speed bump on their road toward more success.

“We have all the right guys in there and that’s what I love,” Stafford said. “You earn momentum in this league. You have to go out there and earn it during the week and go out there and play well on Sunday.”

Rams running back Kyren Williams played through an ankle injury at Carolina, while Davante Adams has a mild hamstring issue and did not practice Wednesday. The NFL TD reception leader with 14 is expected to play Sunday.

Nose tackle Poona Ford (calf) and cornerback Darious Williams (leg) also did not practice.

The Cardinals (3-9) have lost four in a row and nine of their last 10 games.

With quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) expected to miss at least another week, Jacoby Brissett will get his eighth consecutive start.

“They know who’s coming in here,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said of his own team about the visit from the Rams. “This is the leader in the division; they’re a top-two defense. They have arguably the best player (Stafford) on the planet right now. We have a big-time challenge.”

Brissett threw for 301 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in last Sunday’s 20-17 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cardinals pulled within three points on a TD pass from Brissett to tight end Trey McBride with just under five minutes remaining.

On a late drive to potentially tie or win the game, Arizona turned over the ball on downs. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

“We have figured out how to compete, (now) we have to figure out how to win,” Gannon said.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. returned from an appendectomy to catch six passes for 69 yards but now is dealing with a heel injury and did not practice Wednesday. Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (groin), running back Trey Benson (knee), wide receiver Greg Dortch (chest), cornerback Max Melton (heel), defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (knee) and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) also missed practice.

Brissett now has three consecutive games of at least 300 passing yards, with 13 TD passes to four interceptions over his seven starts. But he has been sacked 26 times.

The Rams have won three of the four matchups between the teams, but the Cardinals’ one victory in the stretch was a dominating 41-10 performance at home last season when they had 231 rushing yards.

-Field Level Media

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) in question to face Cardinals

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Baker Mayfield has not missed a start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that 45-game streak is in jeopardy.

Mayfield’s sprained left shoulder is still in pain at mid-week, and he won’t be sure he can play in Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals until late in the week.

Teddy Bridgewater will start if Mayfield’s non-throwing shoulder doesn’t respond to treatment.

“It’s pain tolerance and management at that point,” Mayfield said of what he called a double-edged sword decision. “(We will) see how it goes through the week and go from there. I understand that we have Teddy. I have been in this spot before, hurting the non-throwing shoulder.

“If it’s going to hinder how I play, then I probably won’t go, but I won’t know that until later in the week getting practice reps and see how that goes.”

Mayfield injured the shoulder a couple of times during last week’s 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The most painful time came as he heaved the ball on a ‘Hail Mary’ pass to end the first half.

Bridgewater played the second half with Mayfield unable to continue.

“On the Hail Mary … it felt like my shoulder was unstable, which MRIs and all that revealed that it’s stable and everything is intact, so that’s really good news,” Mayfield said. “It’s really about feeling good enough to be able to rip the ball and feeling confident in it to finish through throws and stay on top of the ball.”

If Mayfield can’t play, Bridgewater will start for the first time since Week 17 in 2022 with the Miami Dolphins. Against the Rams, he completed 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards.

“We all have confidence in Teddy,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “We know what he can do and we know what kind of confidence level he brings, too. It’s a different kind of energy, but yet energy that we all feed off of and expect.”

The Buccaneers (6-5) have lost three straight games and four of the past five. They stand a half-game ahead of the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South.

Arizona (3-8) has lost three straight games and eight of the past nine. The Cardinals fell 27-24 in overtime to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will be making his seventh consecutive start. He has thrown for 769 yards on 80-for-106 passing (75.5%) over the past two games.

Cardinals star tight end Trey McBride is tied for second in the NFL with 80 receptions, one behind leader Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers.

McBride has caught five or more passes in 13 straight games, tying the club record set by Larry Fitzgerald.

“I want him to touch the ball more than five times every game regardless of the streak,” Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. “I’d like for him to touch it 10 times or 15 times because he is as talented as he is and plays the game the way he does and has such a big impact for us.”

Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) returned to the field on a limited basis. He missed the past two games.

“It was good to see him running,” Brissett said of Harrison. “He went through something very traumatic. To have him back out there was really good and I’m excited to see how this week unfolds for him.”

The Cardinals ruled out defensive end Walter Nolen III (knee) on Wednesday. Among the players who missed practice were linebacker Josh Sweat (eye), guard Kelvin Beachum (groin) and running back Emari Demercado (ankle).

Outside linebacker Anthony Nelson (ribs) joined Mayfield as Bucs who sat out. Running back Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) practiced in full and is expected to return after a seven-game absence. Among the limited participants were receiver Chris Godwin (fibula) and linebacker Haason Reddick (ankle/knee).

The Buccaneers won the last two meetings, both by three points.

–Field Level Media

Jaguars overcome turnovers to edge reeling Cardinals in OT

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Trevor Lawrence passed for 256 yards and three touchdowns while overcoming three interceptions and four turnovers, and Cam Little’s 52-yard field goal on the first possession of overtime gave the Jacksonville Jaguars a 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Phoenix.

Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who threw for 317 yards and a touchdown, advanced the Cardinals to the Jaguars’ 42-yard line on their final drive before throwing two incompletions, the last on a deep ball into double coverage intended for Xavier Weaver.

Jacksonville (7-4) moved to within one game of the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts (8-3) with its second straight win after the Colts lost at Kansas City.

The Jaguars passed Buffalo for the sixth spot in the AFC wild card standings and are one game ahead of Pittsburgh, Houston and Kansas City for the final AFC wild card berth. They have two division games remaining against both the Colts and the Texans

Lawrence, who was 18 of 30, gave the Jaguars a 24-21 lead with 3:47 remaining on a 9-yard pass to Parker Washington, after Brissett put the Cardinals ahead on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Greg Dortch with 7:12 left.

Brissett led the Cardinals on an eight-play, 69-yard drive to set up Chad Ryland’s game-tying 29-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in regulation.

That drive was set up when the Jaguars went for it on fourth-and-one from the Cardinals’ 19 on their previous series rather than attempt a short field goal, but Lawrence’s pass into the end zone was incomplete.

Travis Etienne had 86 yards rushing and scored on a 15-yard pass on the Jaguars’ first drive of the game, which covered 97 yards.

Michael Wilson had 10 receptions for 118 yards and Trey McBride had nine for 79 yards for the Cardinals.

Cardinals rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen III scored his first touchdown on a fumble recovery when Lawrence was sacked.

The Cardinals (3-8) have lost three in a row and eight of their last nine.

Brissett was knocked out of the game with 3:29 remaining in the third quarter after being hit at the sideline by Jaguars’ safety Kevin Lloyd while scrambling to avoid pressure. Lloyd was initially penalized for a late hit, but the call was overturned after replay review.

Brissett was evaluated in the injury tent but returned on the next series. Kedon Slovis ran two plays.

–Field Level Media

With playoffs in sight, Jaguars can’t slip up vs. downtrodden Cards

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A Jekyll-and–Hyde fortnight behind them, the Jacksonville Jaguars will continue a push toward their first postseason appearance since 2022 when they oppose the reeling Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday.

The Jaguars (6-4) took a giant step forward with what could be a season-defining 35-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, when they rebounded from a devastating 36-29 loss at Houston in which the Texans scored 26 fourth-quarter points.

The Cardinals (3-7) have lost seven of eight and have endured consecutive blowout defeats against two of their NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Jacksonville dominated the Chargers on both sides of the ball last Sunday, limiting Los Angeles to eight first downs and 135 yards in total offense. The Jaguars rushed for 192 yards, as Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten combined for 147 yards and three scores on the ground, and they had an almost 16-minute advantage in time of possession.

“We owe it to each other now to put that on tape as much as possible for the remainder of the season and let the results be what they may,” first-year coach Liam Coen said.

“(The) message (that) is going to continue to be sent throughout the locker room … is that, ‘Hey, man, we’ve got to play pissed off and efficient and execute like that for four quarters.’”

The victory kept the Jaguars on the inside of the AFC playoff bubble. They are the third of three AFC wild-card teams entering Week 12, with the easiest portion of their schedule upcoming.

Including the Cardinals (3-7), Jacksonville has four games left against bottom feeders, a home-and-home against AFC South cellar-dweller Tennessee (1-9) and a home game against New York Jets (2-8). They also have a home-and-home against division leader Indianapolis (8-2) and go on the road to oppose Denver (9-2).

The Cardinals trailed 35-10 after three quarters in a 41-22 home loss to San Francisco last Sunday, when their a franchise-record 17 penalties and three turnovers more than offset Jacoby Brissett’s career-high 452 passing yards and NFL regular-season-record 47 completions. He threw two TD passes and two interceptions.

The Cardinals’ sputtering play has led to speculation about coach Jonathan Gannon’s job.

“I didn’t hire myself. I’m not going to fire myself,” said Gannon, who is 15-29 since replacing Kliff Kingsbury in 2023. “That’s the business we’re in. If you don’t want to be in that business, we laugh, we joke, go work somewhere else.”

The Jaguars are plus-8 in turnover margin, tied for fourth in the league. The Cardinals are a net zero.

“Those plays change games,” Gannon said. “The No. 1 job of defense is get the offense the ball back. The numbers would say you don’t overcome losing the ball.”

Journeyman Brissett has completed 142 of 212 passes for 1,570 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while revitalizing the passing game in five starts in place of injured Kyler Murray, who can’t return before Dec. 7.

Arizona wide receiver Michael Wilson had career highs in receptions (15) and yards (185) against the 49ers while Marvin Harrison Jr. missed the game because of appendix surgery. Harrison will be out again this week, Gannon said.

Arizona running back Emari Demercado (ankle) also is out. The Cardinals opened the practice window for running back Trey Benson, meaning he can be activated at any time. Benson gained 160 yards on 29 carries in four games before sustaining a knee injury in Week 4.

Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) missed the past two games, and his status is uncertain. Tuten left the Chargers game with a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Thomas, Tuten and running back Travis Etienne (shoulder) were limited participants in practice on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Report: Cards RB Emari Demercado (ankle) likely out vs. Jaguars

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and is unlikely to play against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Demercado sustained the injury in Arizona’s 41-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.

Fellow running back Trey Benson likely will return from injured reserve for the Cardinals (3-7), who also have Bam Knight and Michael Carter in the backfield.

Demercado, 26, has rushed 31 times for 241 yards (7.8 yards per carry) in nine games this season to go along with eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Benson was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 1 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. He sustained a knee injury toward the end of Arizona’s 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 25.

The Cardinals’ rushing game has taken considerable hits this season, notably the loss of two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner to a campaign-ending foot injury on Sept. 21.

Benson, 23, has rushed for 160 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry He also has 13 receptions for 64 yards.

–Field Level Media

Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) out vs. 49ers

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Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. underwent surgery for appendicitis and will miss Sunday’s game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday.

Harrison, 23, has 34 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns in nine starts this season for the Cardinals (3-6). Those numbers are all second on the team behind star tight end Trey McBride.

Harrison had just three catches for 44 yards in Arizona’s 16-15 setback to San Francisco in Week 3.

He has totaled 96 receptions for 1,410 yards and 12 touchdowns in 26 career games since the Cardinals selected him with the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

–Field Level Media

Cardinals coach: Kyler Murray still starting QB when healthy

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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon shot down questions of a permanent quarterback change on Monday night, moments after Jacoby Brissett led the team to a 27-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Gannon was quick with an answer when asked if he would keep Brissett as the team’s starter in place of Kyler Murray when the latter returns to health.

“Nothing’s changed on that,” Gannon said. “That’s how I feel.”

Reporters began to ask follow-up questions before Gannon pulled the plug on the topic.

“I’ve got nothing to add on that, guys,” Gannon said. “Like I said, nothing’s changed.”

Brissett completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns to help the Cardinals (3-5) snap a five-game losing skid on Monday.

Arizona visits the NFC West co-leading Seattle Seahawks (6-2) on Sunday.

Brissett, 32, has thrown for 860 yards with six touchdowns with one interception in three games in place of Murray, who has missed the past three games since injuring the foot during a Week 5 home loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Murray, 28, has completed 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in five starts this season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has rushed for a team-high 173 yards and one score.

–Field Level Media