Arizona Cardinals likely to face Eagles without center Rodney Hudson; TE Williams released
The Cardinals aren't likely to have starting center Rodney Hudson Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. His knee injury kept him out of practice this week, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury wouldn't say who will replace him.
It might be Sean Harlow, who has been a backup center with the Cardinals but also fills in at guard. If Justin Pugh is able to go Sunday and play left guard, it allows Harlow to slide to center.
Pugh (elbow injury) didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday but was present Friday. Kelvin Beachum (right tackle), Will Hernandez (right guard) and D.J. Humphries (left tackle) all look set to play Sunday.
Three players are eligible to be activated off injured reserve — cornerback Antonio Hamilton, backup quarterback Colt McCoy and wide receiver Antoine Wesley. While decisions on Hamilton and McCoy will come before the game, Wesley has been ruled out with a setback in his recovery from a groin and hip injury.
According to a Pro Football Network report, Wesley has a quadriceps injury and needed an MRI Friday.
Wide receiver Rondale Moore (knee) and cornerback Trayvon Mullen (hamstring) are also to be evaluated for their availability based on what they show prior to kickoff.
And defensive lineman J.J. Watt, asked how he is feeling since his heart episode last Wednesday that didn't keep him out of last week's game, had a one-word response.
"Good," Watt said.
Officially, Moore, Mullen, Pugh and Humphries are questionable for Sunday. Hudson is doubtful, and linebacker Nick Vigil (hamstring), kicker Matt Prater (hip), defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence (hand) and offensive lineman Max Garcia (toe) are out.
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Maxx Williams released
In at least somewhat of a surprise move on Friday afternoon, the Cardinals released veteran tight end Maxx Williams.
Williams, in his eighth NFL season and fourth with the Cardinals, had yet to register a catch in 2022. He battled back from a major knee injury from a year ago to be ready for Week 1.
The move signals the apparent emergence of rookie tight end Trey McBride, who played 32 snaps to 23 for Williams at Carolina last Sunday. The Cardinals have three tight ends now in Zach Ertz, McBride and Stephen Anderson.
Read more: Former Eagles star Zach Ertz building new legacy with Cardinals
Stopping the slide
The Cardinals haven’t won a regular-season home game since Week 7 a year ago when they beat the Houston Texans 31-5. Since then, they’ve dropped seven straight games in Glendale and if they lose Sunday to the Eagles, it will have been a full calendar year until they get another chance to finally stop the slide when they host the Saints in a Week 7 Thursday night tilt.
The home-losing skid hasn’t been brought up by Kingsbury this week.
“No. I see it as this is a new season,” he said. “We lost to the defending Super Bowl champs (the Rams) and one of the better teams in the league right now (the Chiefs) at home, so we’re 0-2 this season at home. Last year was last year.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray is of the same mindset. He hasn’t brought up the Cardinals’ home slide, either.
“No. No, I don’t,” he said. “I don’t really make much of a thing about it. To me, last year is last year. Obviously, this year we have yet to win at the crib, but I mean we’ve got a great opportunity this week.”
Reddick alert
Former Cardinals edge rusher Haason Reddick will be making his return to State Farm Stadium with the Eagles and he’s coming off a performance against the Jaguars that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Reddick had two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
“You’ve got to have a plan for him, there’s no doubt,” Kingsbury said. “It’s been great to see just his evolution, how he’s become one of the best pass rushers in the league. When I got here, he was a standup (defender) and we were trying to make him a middle linebacker. Finally, we were like, ‘Hey, let’s try him where he played so well in college.’
“It’s just been awesome. He’s such a great person, to see the success he’s had. You’ve got to have a plan. He wrecked that game against Jacksonville last week creating those turnovers there late, so we’ve got to have some way to try and slow him down.”
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School visit
It was a special week at a Spanish-language immersion school in Phoenix, where Cardinals representatives paid a visit.
They visited Little Big Minds Spanish Immersion Preschool, where many of the children welcomed them wearing Cardinals gear. The school conducts all academic instruction in Spanish.
Former offensive lineman Derek Kennard, Cardinals cheerleaders and mascot Big Red had fun with the kids at the school. The Cardinals have been visiting local schools and businesses in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals may face Eagles without several players due to injuries
