The Arizona Cardinals opened their veteran mandatory minicamp and will hold practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. Not everyone is available, though.
Two players who are completely healthy and have not participated in any of the OTAs to date are QB Jacoby Brissett and EDGE rusher Josh Sweat. Both reported to this minicamp, which draws fines for players who skip the sessions.
RELATED: CARDINALS GET YOU TO ‘BUY-IN’?
Other players are still dealing with
injuries from last year and are working to rehab so that they may be available in July’s training camp.
DT Walter Nolen, III: Meniscus
After never missing a game during his high school and college career, Nolen began his rookie season on the PUP list due to a severe calf injury he sustained before training camp began. Being on the PUP list meant he could practice or play in games until after Week 4. Then, the team had a 21-day window in which to activate him to the roster. Nolen was activated on November 3, ahead of Week 9. He played in six games and then went down with a non-contact knee injury in Week 16. It was revealed as a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required surgery. Although Nolen avoided a more severe ACL tear, the coaching staff has been bringing him back gradually with the hopes that he can be ready for training camp. He showed up to minicamp and was seen in regular clothes on the sidelines.
LB Karson Sharar: Undisclosed
The rookie Sharar has a history of injuries in college, but he was at minicamp, although on the sidelines working with trainers. So far, he is currently dealing with an unspecified injury that has kept him from participating fully in practices.
EDGE Josh Sweat: Unknown
No on-field work, but he was dressed in his jersey.
CB Garrett Williams: Achilles
In the same Week 16 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, Williams went down with a non-contact torn Achilles tendon. He had missed five games earlier in the season with a knee issue. Williams was carted off the field in the first quarter. The cornerback had found a home as Arizona’s trusted nickel cornerback. Achilles damage is no joke and is the worst type of injury for a defensive back because it affects cuts and redirection ability. Williams is not expected to be ready for training camp and will most likely begin the season on the PUP list. He showed up to minicamp and was seen in regular clothes on the sidelines.
S Kitan Crawford: Ankle
In the Week 17 game last year against the Cincinnati Bengals, Crawford sustained an ankle injury that placed him on IR. He has some lingering effects. He showed up to minicamp and was seen in regular clothes on the sidelines.
DL Kaleb Proctor: No-show
The rookie defensive tackle was not at minicamp.
TE Tip Reiman: Ankle
In the gift win to the winless Tennessee Titans last year, both QB Kyler Murray and TE Tip Reiman were lost for ankle issues. Reiman’s horrible injury occurred late in the third quarter, which summoned the cart. He was subsequently placed on IR. He is getting stronger and working on the sidelines during various workouts. The coaching staff is taking their time with his rehab only because of the severity of the injury. He showed up to minicamp and was seen in regular clothes on the sidelines.
WR Marv Harrison, Jr.: Foot
Last year was not kind to Harrison, who had never missed a game all the way back to his Pee Wee days. He had appendicitis, which happens, and suffered a concussion early in the season. Again, not his fault. Each of these is temporary without any lingering effects. But then he had a right heel injury and missed some games, then a left heel injury, which ended his season. Harrison had successful rehab on the last heel issue and has a green light for minicamp and training camp. He has fully participated in OTAs and has been participating in offseason drills.
QB Jacoby Brissett: Unknown
No on-field work, but he was dressed in his jersey.
RB James Conner: Ankle/Foot
Conner was carted off the field in a bad incident in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers that destroyed his right ankle and foot. He took the handoff and gained a yard when he was grabbed high by DT Jordan Elliott and then hit low by S Marques Sigle, who bent back Conner’s leg. The coaching staff’s strategy was to bring him along slowly and be cautious, and he was around in various capacities during OTAs. However, he was not seen at minicamp.
RB Trey Benson: Meniscus
Any time a runner tears his meniscus, it is a long journey back. That is where Benson is right now. He is almost healthy and is considered a curbed participant. After Conner went down in Week 3, it was Benson’s time to shine, but he tore up his knee in the following game, which required surgery. The Cardinals had a 21-day window to bring him back last year, and the team kept him on IR instead. He has been seen at OTAs and is very limited working out gradually in order to get back to full strength.
