Read More: Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Todd Heap (TE – ARI)

On the eve of Thanksgiving, it appears that the Arizona Cardinals are closer to getting some key players back for game action. Quarterback Kevin Kolb and tight end Todd Heap, both important offseason acquisitions, participated in practice in a limited fashion. There is some optimism that they may be able to play on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. 

Kolb took about 35 to 40 percent of the snaps with the first team, according to his own estimation and also about half the snaps with the scout team. If his foot and toe respond well to the action, it will allow him more reps in practice and a likely return to game action and starting against the Rams. 

In addition to Heap (hamstring), fellow tight end Rob Housler (groin) also was limited in practice. Michael Adams (hamstring) and Beanie Wells (knee) were also limited.

There were four players who did not practice. As expected, safety Kerry Rhodes (foot) and linebacker Joey Porter (knee) were out. In addition to them, tackles Brandon Keith and Jeremy Bridges did not practice. Keith is recovering from a concussion he suffered against the 49ers and Bridges was out due to non-football reasons. 

The other three players on the injury report fully practiced. LaRod Stephens-Howling (shoulder) and Paris Lenon (groin) have been listed now for a couple of weeks. Darnell Dockett (groin) appeared on the list as well. 

Arm-chair critics can drive a football coach crazy.

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Photos from the game | Box score | Next: @ Rams

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But the Cardinals ran the ball 11 times against the 49ers. Beanie Wells only had 8 carries, despite averaging over 4 yards per attempt.

By contrast, the 49ers ran the ball 38 times, and their backup tailback had one fewer carry than Wells.

In mapping out strategy, maybe it seemed clear that the 49ers were more susceptible to the pass. Maybe it was the perfect opportunity to test John Skelton, to see if the second-year quarterback could beat a good defense with his arm.

Problem is, the game plan pulverized the Cardinals defense, leaving them on the field for 44:16. That represented the longest time of possession posted by the 49ers since 2002, and the highest by any team in the NFL this season.

And it was further proof that the Cardinals have failed to cultivate a power running attack, something that was expected when the team paid a premium to sign Russ Grimm as offensive line coach.

Looking back, Whisenhunt might be inclined to agree that the Cardinals relied too heavily upon the pass. Second guessing is easy. But there was a lot of first-guessing, too. For instance, running back Beanie Wells gained 8 yards on first down of the second possession. On second and 2, Skelton’s pass to Andre Roberts was intercepted. Wells did not carry the ball again for several minutes. Granted, he fumbled on his next opportunity. Still, it might have been smart to be more conservative with a young quarterback having a bad day against a good defense.

Kent Somers/The Arizona Republic

Michael Vick had another so-so performance and the Eagles (3-6) blew a fourth-quarter lead for the fifth time this season.

Starting for the injured Kevin Kolb, Skelton threw three touchdown passes to lead the Cardinals (3-6) to their second straight win. He threw a tying TD pass to Larry Fitzgerald in the fourth quarter of a 19-13 overtime win against St. Louis last week that snapped a six-game losing streak.

“I’ll have to look at this tape and just see where we are,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “We’ll worry about that later. Kevin’s done a good job for us this year as well. Both guys have had things go squirrely in those games, so I’m not going to say that’s the case.”

Fitzgerald had two TD catches and made a sensational, over-the-shoulder diving catch to set up the go-ahead score in the fourth. He supported both QBs.

“I don’t like to compare,” he said. “That’s not fair. Both of them, we feel we can win with and that’s a good problem to have.”

The Eagles, on the other hand, can’t win with anybody.

The defending NFC East champions were expected to be Super Bowl contenders after a slew of big-name acquisitions in the offseason. Instead, they’ve struggled miserably and have lost seven of their past eight home games.

“We’ve all got to do better,” coach Andy Reid said.

Alex Henery kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:06 remaining after Nnamdi Asomugha’s interception put the Eagles up 17-14.

But the Cardinals answered.

Skelton completed a 30-yard pass to LaRod Stephens-Howling on fourth-and-2 from the Cardinals 32 to keep the winning drive going. On third-and-10 from the Eagles 38, Fitzgerald made an incredible catch to the 1.

Beanie Wells was stopped for no gain and lost 4 yards on the next run. But Skelton hit Doucet coming out of the backfield for a go-ahead TD to cap an 87-yard drive and give the Cardinals a 21-17 lead.

“It was a team win,” Skelton said. “I put us down with a pick-six and late pick, but the defense bailed me out.”

Vick’s desperation deep pass on third-and-20 was intercepted by A.J. Jefferson to seal Arizona’s win.

Asante Samuel returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown and LeSean McCoy had a 1-yard TD run to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead.

Vick was 16 of 34 for 128 yards and two interceptions. He’s hardly resembled the guy who was an MVP candidate and Pro Bowl starter last season.

“We were never able to get in a rhythm,” Vick said. “I never got comfortable. You have to find a way to get it done. I didn’t do it.”

Skelton completed 21 of 40 for 315 yards, three TDs and two picks.

Cardinals kicker Jay Feely missed two field goals in the first quarter, hooking a 35-yard attempt wide left and a 43-yarder wide right.

The Eagles played without three starters, including two-time Pro Bowl wideout DeSean Jackson. He was inactive after missing a team meeting Saturday morning.

Read More: John Skelton (QB – ARI), Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles, Nov 13, 2011 11:00 AM MST

The Arizona Cardinals were a 14-point underdog headed into this NFL Week 10 game in Philadelphia. But as they’ve done on several occasions this season, the Cardinals showed that they are not a completely miserable team. The defense played well against the Eagles and the offense showed signs of life. But as has also been the case all season, self-inflicted mistakes continue to plague Ken Whisenhunt’s team and they find themselves down 14-7 after the first half. The score easily could be 13-7 Cardinals without three blown plays.

The Cardinals Jay Feely missed two field goal attempts (35 yds, 43 yds) and John Skelton threw a pick-six. Those three mistakes cost the Cardinals a 13-point swing in game they trail by seven. Arizona also had an Adrian Wilson inception on the Eagles scoring drive reversed by a holding call on Richard Marshall.

Arizona put together an impressive touchdown drive in the second quarter going 84 yards on 10 plays. John Skelton made a great play to find Larry Fitzgerald for a 10-yard scoring play. 

The Cardinals defense, which had been solid all half, gave up their longest drive of the game as the Eagles went to the screen play to fuel a 70 yard, 10 play touchdown drive to answer.

Skelton is 8-18 with 111 yards and one touchdown and one interception in the first half. Michael Vick is 9-18 for 75 yards. Beanie Wells found a little more room to run in the second quarter and has 35 yards on 15 carries while LeSean McCoy has 34 yards on eight tries.

Here’s video of the Fitzgerald touchdown play.

Read More: James Hall (DE – STL), Donnie Jones (P – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

Although it certainly hasn’t been a work of art, the St. Louis Rams are one quarter away from winning their second consecutive  game, as they lead 13-6 over the Arizona Cardinals. The play of the defense was exceptional in the 3rd quarter, with the Rams recording two safeties, courtesy of sacks from James Hall and CJ Ah You.

Each safety came courtesy of a great punt by Donnie Jones, who has been instrumental in helping the Rams build this lead. The offense has sputtered despite being able to move the ball down the field, but Jones has been able to pin the Cardinals near their endzone on multiple punts.The defense has also been excellent in limiting Cardinals RB Beanie Wells to only 20 yards on 10 carries.

On the offensive end, Sam Bradford has been solid in his return from an ankle injury. Bradford has completed 16/23 for 187 yards and an early interception. Steven Jackson has been effective on the ground, rushing for 74 yards.

Be sure to stay tuned to Turf Show Times, SB Nation’s St. Louis Rams blog, and Revenge of the Birds, SB Nation’s Arizona Cardinals blog.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb(notes) got hurt on the very first play of the team’s 30-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but never came out, the Arizona Republic reports. After the game, Kolb was wearing a walking boot, the paper notes.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt told KTAR radio after the game that the injury could be turf toe, according to the Republic.

The Cards are now 1-6 and tied with the St. Louis Rams for the worst record in the NFC. Wonder if Kolb is regretting all his talk last year when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles about how ready he was to be a starter.

Meanwhile, Cardinals running back Beanie Wells(notes) played despite a knee injury and said that things weren’t going to suddenly get better anytime soon. “It’s probably going to be an all-year thing, trying to get this . . . right,” he said, according to the Tucson Citizen. He ended up rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Let the rumors come to you. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: Arizona RepublicTucson Citizen

Related: Beanie Wells, Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams

No Cardinals player was happier to be in the locker room Wednesday than fullback Reagan Maui’a. He rejoined the team Tuesday because fullback Anthony Sherman suffered an ankle injury Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Cards QB Kolb still battling toe injury | Cardinals-Rams injury report

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Maui’a, the team’s fullback a year ago, was cut after training camp. A short time later, it became known that Maui’a was suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL’s drug policy.

That likely didn’t have an impact on his making the team, because Sherman was the favorite to win the job all along.

Maui’a remained in the Phoenix area, stayed in shape and waited for a team to call, he said. And he worked on personal issues.

“Spiritually, I fixed a lot of things,” he said. “Just got closer to God and kept my faith.”

Maui’a said the suspension was a result of alcohol abuse.

“About two years ago, I was a real bad drinker,” Maui’a said, “shied away from God and got into alcohol. I don’t know how long it’s been, but I haven’t had a drink in a very long time. I’m very proud of that. I’m not ashamed of it.

“Everyone drinks and does things they don’t really like, but to be able to overcome it and be a better person today, that’s something I’m proud of.”

Beanie’s knee

Running back Beanie Wells said after Sunday’s game that his right-knee ailment would be something he would have to manage all season.

That was evident again Wednesday. Wells didn’t practice, and coach Ken Whisenhunt said the running back “is going to be in this cycle where he works back into shape for the game every week. He’s going to be limited or work through things earlier in the week, and he’ll get more (work) as the week progresses.”

Wells carried 22 times for 83 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Ravens. But he said he lacked his usual explosiveness. Against the Ravens, the Cardinals limited Wells’ carries by using their other three backs: LaRod Stephens-Howling, Alfonso Smith and Chester Taylor. They likely will use the same strategy Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

“Beanie Wells is a horse,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “He can run outside, inside. He cuts it back, he runs over people, he can shake people. He’s a premier back.”

Injury update

Quarterback Kevin Kolb (toe), Wells (knee), tight end Rob Housler (groin), safety Kerry Rhodes (foot) and Sherman (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday.

Tight end Jim Dray (pectoral), tight end Todd Heap (hamstring), defensive lineman Nick Eason (Achilles’), outside linebacker Joey Porter (knee) and Stephens-Howling (shoulder) were limited.

For the Rams, quarterback Sam Bradford (ankle), defensive tackle Darell Scott (head) and tackle Jason Smith (head) did not practice. Receiver Danario Alexander (hamstring), linebacker Brady Poppinga (calf) and guard Tony Wragge (knee) were limited.

Read More: Beanie Wells (RB – ARI), Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals starting running back Beanie Wells is likely to play with a knee injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but how much action he gets remains to be seen.

The Cardinals are facing the Baltimore Ravens this week, who are allowing the third-fewest rushing yards in the league, so even if Wells were at full strength, this would be a tough matchup. The guy who will get the carries Wells can’t handle will likely be speedster LaRod Stephens-Howling. In other weeks, he’d be a starting option, but against the Ravens, you should really consider other options.

If Wells is a full go, he might get a touchdown. He’s been, shockingly, a very reliable fantasy performer when healthy, but his recent streak of game-time decision injuries has been frustrating for owners and fantasy writers alike. We feel your pain.

For more on Wells’ injury issues, visit Cardinals blog Revenge of the Birds. For his opponent, visit Ravens blog Baltimore Beat Down.

Arizona Cardinals update:

Running back Beanie Wells did more in practice on Friday than he did Thursday, and he will test his sore knee before Sunday’s game to see if he can play. If he does play, my hunch is that he doesn’t carry the full load for the Cardinals. I bet the team tries to limit his work.

Tight end Todd Heap will test his hamstring before the game. It wouldn’t surprise me if Heap played a limited role in the red zone and third down situations. Ken Whisenhunt said as much on Thursday.

Outside linebacker Joey Porter has a chronic knee problem that’s causing him to miss practice time. Porter missed two days of work this week after missing a day a week for much of the season. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game and will be a game-day decision.

Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield can play Porter’s spot, but given recent substitution patterns, I’d say Acho is more likely to get the nod.

Fullback Anthony Sherman, a rookie, has caught five passes this season. His 15-yarder last week was his longest. Asked if Sherman might get the ball more often, Whisenhunt joked: “Yea, we’re going to design our offense to throw it to the fullback, see if we can get him about 10 receptions a game.”

Seriously, Sherman being able to catch the ball helps. The pass that Sherman caught was down the seam after he released from the backfield. That’s an unusual route for a fullback. In past years, the Cardinals had some success throwing to the fullback in short-yardage situations. That player can be open because everyone assumes he’s going to block.

“He says he can run with the ball, too,” said Whisenhunt. Asked if he ever met a fullback who said he couldn’t run with the ball, Whisenhunt replied, “No, I have not ever met one he couldn’t.”

– I heard through a friend today that the Cardinals franchise had recently surpassed the 700-loss mark. I did a little research — it didn’t take much — and found out the Cardinals have lost 703 games in their existence. The next worst team, the Lions, have lost 605. The Cardinals are 495-703-39, according to The Official NFL Record & Fact Book.

Wow. In order to depress myself, I did a little more research to figure out how many of those games I covered for The Arizona Republic. Between two stints on the beat, I figured at least 157. There were probably more that I attended as part of the newspaper’s crew, just not the beat writer.

Of course, I can also say I’ve covered all but one of the team’seight  playoff games since 1988. I missed the win at Dallas in 1998.

Friday, October 28, 2011 at 02:30 PM

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Read More: john harbaugh, ken whisenhunt, Kerry Rhodes (S – ARI), Todd Heap (TE – ARI), Joey Porter (LB – ARI), Michael Adams (CB – ARI), Early Doucet (WR – ARI), Beanie Wells (RB – ARI), Jim Dray (TE – ARI), DeMarco Sampson (WR – ARI), Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt spoke with some media members at Friday’s practice at team headquarters, and gave some insight into the status of some of the Cards injured players. 

Running back Beanie Wells made progress in practice Friday after he took on larger work load on his sore knee, but will still be considered a game time decision. As for tight end Todd Heap’s hamstring, he is progressing as well and will join the litany of players considered as game time decisions on Sunday.

Linebacker Joey Porter, who has been dealing with a knee problem the majority of the season, is also a game time decision, though Coach Wiz elaborated on how his situation mirrors many aging players in the NFL:

 ”We’ve been giving him time off at practice. It depends on whether he takes a shot in the game or what happens game days. It’s indicative of a lot of older players around the league.”

Wide receivers Early Doucet (quadricep) and DeMarco Sampson (hamstring), as well as tight end Jim Dray (pectoral) are officially questionable for Sunday’s game as well in the Charm City. Safety Kerry Rhodes (foot) is  out while cornerback Michael Adams (hand) is probable.

For more on the Arizona Cardinals, head on over to Revenge of the Birds to get in on the action. 

Tight end Todd Heap spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Ravens, so he has looked forward to returning to Baltimore this weekend since signing with the Cardinals last summer.

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Profile: Todd Heap

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The trip would be even better if Heap can play, something he hasn’t done since suffering a hamstring injury three weeks ago.

“I’m taking it day to day right now,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll be ready.”

Heap was surprised when the Ravens released him in July. The Ravens needed the cap space ($4.6 million) and they had drafted two tight ends, Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, the year before.

“It’s something that hit me out of left field. I didn’t see it coming,” Heap said.

Heap signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Cardinals, and was starting to make an impact when he suffered the injury in practice. In his prior two games, Heap caught 10 passes for 102 yards.

“This (the Ravens game) is one of the games I looked at and was definitely excited about,” Heap said.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said losing Heap “was tough,” but the Ravens needed the cap space and wanted to play Pitta and Dickson.

“Todd, I’m sure, was hoping to finish here,” Harbaugh said. “He is so popular in the community. He’s just such a good guy. I think it was probably hard for him. He just handled it with class and grace, just what you would have expected.”

Beanie sits

Running back Beanie Wells (knee) was one of five players to miss all of Wednesday’s practice because of injuries.

Wells suffered a sprained knee last Sunday against the Vikings and experienced swelling. He hasn’t been ruled out of the Ravens game, but it appears doubtful he’ll play.

Two receivers were among those out Wednesday: Early Doucet (quadriceps) and DeMarco Sampson (hamstring). No information was available on their prognosis.

Linebacker Joey Porter (knee) missed practice, but it’s been common for him to sit out the Wednesday workouts. Safety Kerry Rhodes (foot) is out for a few more weeks.

Cornerback Mike Adams (hand) and tight end Jim Dray (pectoral) missed a portion of practice.

For the Ravens, two starters missed practice Wednesday: receiver Lee Evans (ankle) and left guard Ben Grubbs (toe).

It’s becoming burdensome to think of fresh, diplomatic ways to
say the Arizona Cardinals stink.

Last Sunday was a routine showing. Bad penalties, a Beanie Wells
injury, a quarterback so concerned with pressure that he took an
intentional grounding safety, a defense with a knack for giving up
the big play-in this case only the longest pass play in the
Steelers’ long and storied history, so … congrats?-to the delight
of what seemed like half the “home” crowd, and, of course, a
loss.

As usual with the Cardinals, even after a 12-point home loss,
they left you feeling like, had things broke accordingly, they
could have pulled it out. If Kolb doesn’t miss those wide open
receivers for easy scores … if they had just not given up that
Wallace bomb … if Wells doesn’t get hurt … if Peterson doesn’t
take another dumb pass interference call … et al. It’s the most
frustrating thing about this team, and it so was never so apparent
than during this Super Bowl rematch of three years ago that has
since witnessed the vaunted Steelers remain steadily on course
while the Cardinals wander around in no man’s land.

As if it couldn’t get worse, this week the Cardinals travel to
Baltimore to face the Ravens, who have become one of the AFC’s
elite, and who are coming off a bad loss. It’s hard to find more of
a lock on the schedule this weekend than a Cardinals loss. All of
their familiar Achilles Heels will be on display, but an east coast
road game against an opportunistic and aggressive defense should be
more than enough to drop this team to 1-6. Wells will be unable to
go — it won’t be very long now before this franchise tires of
Wells being unable to go — the offense becomes even more
one-dimensional, if that’s even possible. That dimension, Larry
Fitzgerald, will be covered twice, as usual. So … good luck.
My pick: Cardinals, 7, RAVENS, 31.

What fans and media know about Beanie Wells’ injured right knee fits in a medium-sized paragraph.

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Wells suffered the injury against the Steelers last Sunday and has swelling. The knee is “stable”, according to coach Ken Whisenhunt, and Wells won’t knee surgery.

The unknown, however, takes several paragraphs to explore. We don’t know what part of the knee is injured. We don’t know what made the knee keep “locking up” on Sunday. Wells said it’s not related to the knee surgery he underwent last season. And we don’t know if it’s related to the allergic reaction he had later to an injection. We don’t know when Wells will return, so his availability for Sunday’s game in Baltimore is in question. The “don’t knows” go on and on.

I talked to Dr. Orr Limpisvasti, an othorpedic surgeon at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, on Monday. Here’s what Dr. Limpisvasti had to say about Wells’ knee problem.

“Some of the locking symptoms people talk about could mean something inside the knee is loose or misplaced: a meniscus tear or a loose piece of cartilage or bone, or an injury to the joint cartilage, if it’s a big enough piece. That’s some of the most common things if there is “true” locking.”

In Dr. Limpisvasti’s experience, athletes often describe a “locking” sensation when a knee doesn’t actual lock up. A variety of things can cause that problem.

“Those are the big, broad things. Inflammation of the joint lining, a little bit of fluid, arthritis in the knee. The patient athlete may say, ‘it just kind of kind of locked up,’ but they mean it more in the lay sense. If an MRI reveal no cartilage or mensicus tear, it may be one of those things.”

And while the Cardinals say Wells’ injury doesn’t require surgery, that might mean no surgery at this time. Sometimes athleies play through “minor” problems that can be repaired later. And, as Dr. Limpisvasti pointed out, the problem sometimes worsens and has to be addressed later.