Kliff Kingsbury could return for game vs. Texans, but Cardinals prepared if not

The Arizona Cardinals had to play last weekend against the Cleveland Browns without head coach Kliff Kingsbury. He tested positive for COVID-19 and had to stay home. The Cardinals won the game 37-20 without him with assistant wide receivers coach Spencer Whipple calling plays.

That could happen again on Sunday when the Cardinals host the Houston Texans.

As of Friday, Kingsbury had not yet returned to the facility for practice.

The Cardinals are prepared either way. But it isn’t as if Kingsbury hasn’t been part of the preparation. He has been fully involved.

“The plan that we have on that side of the ball, it’s Kliff’s plan,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told reporters after practice on Friday. “Even with the virtual stuff, it’s like he’s in the room with us. Nothing has changed from the prep standpoint, so if he comes up Saturday or Sunday, he could definitely coach the game.”

If Kingsbury is unable to be on the sideline, the plan will not change from last week. Whipple will be the playcaller, the one who communicates with Kyler Murray.

It worked last week. It looked like a game Kingsbury would have called and they should be able to see the same success tomorrow if Whipple is once against the playcaller.

List

Behind enemy lines: Cardinals Q&A preview with Texans Wire

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and