Arizona Cardinals' patchwork offensive line played key role in win over Los Angeles Rams

Not to be forgotten in what helped the Cardinals to a 27-17 win Sunday over the Los Angeles Rams, the offensive line protected well enough to give quarterback Colt McCoy enough time to make several good throws downfield, and blocked well enough for a pair of James Conner touchdown runs.

Rams superstar defensive end Aaron Donald, who was wreaked havoc on the Cardinals in the past, was held without a sack and just one hit on the quarterback.

A group that was missing four Week 1 starters — three on injured reserve in right guard Will Hernandez, left guard Justin Pugh and center Rodney Hudson — had a much different look. Josh Jones played right tackle for the injured D.J. Humphries. Lecitus Smith was the right guard in his second NFL game. Billy Price continued at center, in for Hudson over the past few weeks. And Rashaad Coward was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad for his Cardinals debut to replace injured left guard Cody Ford, who had replaced Pugh at that position.

Kelvin Beachum at right tackle was the only Week 1 starter on the field for Arizona in what was their seventh different starting offensive line combination, fifth in the last six games and fourth in the past four games. The Cardinals have had 12 different players start a game on the offensive line this season, tied with the Rams for the most in the NFL.

"We just had to find a way to rise above it, whoever's number was called had to find a way to perform. We knew the task at hand, we knew the defense that we were going up against, we knew the issues that we had as an offensive line, we knew we had to work together," Beachum said. "It was a great outing, you know, there are some things that we still need to clean up."

Beachum took plenty of questions from Smith. He offered advice in the days leading up to Sunday to all of the fill-ins. He told Smith that first impressions matter when given an opportunity to be a starter.

When McCoy went down with an apparent left leg injury that forced him out of the game temporarily, Beachum shot a cold stare at head coach Kliff Kingsbury for calling a pass play that led to the injury.

McCoy returned and helped the Cardinals secure victory, and felt better Monday but there was no update on his status, Kingsbury said.

"Honestly, when you have four or five starting offensive linemen from the beginning of the season down and you're playing that D-line, you better have a quick trigger, and Colt understood that going in," Kingsbury said.

Kingsbury thought his offensive line battled.

"To see some of the runs that we had late in the game when we really needed it, particularly down near the end zone, was big time. And that's not easy to do, patchwork it together," he said.

Beachum said the offensive linemen that are out with injuries are still around to help the replacements. He and Pugh talk all the time and Hudson is in the facility every day.

"We stick together, we work together, even when even those guys are not in the lineup right now. They're still given tidbits to guys who are playing those positions," Beachum said. "Rodney is on the sidelines every single game giving Billy (Price) any instances or any things that he's seen or even giving (offensive line coach Sean Kugler) some insight that we need to change in protection or slide the protection just based off of what we're getting. So all those guys, even though they're not playing, they're still finding a way to contribute to our success right now."

Report Card: Arizona Cardinals overcome injuries to defeat Los Angeles Rams

Somers: It's not controversial. If Kyler Murray is healthy he should start

Moore: No quarterback controversy in Arizona, it's Colt McCoy's job

Quick outs

*Kingsbury said WR Hollywood Brown is approaching day-to-day status with his foot injury. He's not sure Brown will be back this week in Mexico City against the 49ers or the week after that, but if not then after the team's bye week in early December.

*Kingsbury said CB Byron Murphy Jr., who didn't play Sunday, was getting tests done on his injured back Monday and the team will see how he feels Wednesday when the Cardinals practice.

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' patchwork o-line played key role in win over Rams