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Arizona Cardinals' Kevin Kolb (4) walks off the field after an injury during the first quarter in an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
The Arizona Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention, making Sunday's season finale against the Seattle Seahawks virtually meaningless.

But it's not totally meaningless -- the Cards and 'Hawks are battling for 2nd place in the division and both are playing to even their records at 8-8 and avoid a losing season.

But there is not nearly enough meaning in this game for the Cardinals to even consider playing quarterback Kevin Kolb.

Kolb suffered a concussion when he took a knee to the back of the head on the Cardinals' first possession in a 21-19 win over San Francisco on December 11th. He hasn't played since.

And he shouldn't play again until OTAs this spring.

Monday, head coach Ken Whisenhunt talked about Kolb's symptoms, and didn't paint a very rosy picture about what's happening with the Cardinals' signal caller.

"He felt good, but when he got to the game Saturday and he got out on the field, he didn't feel great," Whisenhunt said, citing the crowd noise and bright sunlight as detriments to how Kolb felt.

"It's going to be a day-to-day thing with him, until he can get through without little symptoms every day that seem to come up," Whisenhunt said. "We've got to make sure that we err with the side of caution with that."

I agree. The most cautious thing to do is let John Skelton play, let Richard Bartel back him up, and let Kevin Kolb continue his recovery, while wearing street clothes on the Cardinals' sideline.

I know players want to play -- especially a player like Kolb, who has voiced frustration over missing substantial playing time with a turf toe injury earlier this year. Kolb got paid big bucks upon his arrival in the desert, and many doubted whether his seven career starts warranted $63 million.

A lot of those people are still wondering. And you know what? Let 'em keep wondering.

We don't need to go back very far in history to see the end of another quarterback's career because of concussions.

Arizona State junior Steven Threet was sacked on a seemingly innocuous hit from UCLA's Sean Westgate early in ASU's 55-34 win last November. But it was enough to give Threet a concussion, which was his fourth in the last five seasons.

Three months later, Threet decided enough was enough, and he retired from football before playing his senior collegiate season.

Kolb also suffered a concussion last season while playing in Philadelphia -- and he returned to the game after sustaining the injury.

Kolb's concussion saga also comes on the heels of an Associated Press survey that interviewed 44 NFL players about concussions. Over 52% of the respondents said they would try to hide their injury and stay in the game.

Thankfully, Kolb has done the right thing. He hasn't hidden his injury despite the desire to get back on the field.

It's time for the Arizona Cardinals to do the right thing now too.

Keep Kevin Kolb on the bench Sunday vs. Seattle.

22 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    6thCavAirCav wrote...
    Sounds
    I had to laugh Saturday when Skelton was sacked that Bridges was blocking the soon to be sacker and released him to the inside right on top of Skelton. These are the things these QB's have been dealing with. I would release the two tackles we have and give their pay to Campbell and keep him in the fold. If I was player evaluater and thiought hese two were worth keeping I think I would start looking for a new place to work.
  • Abuse
    akubra wrote...
    Do right by Kolb? Are you kidding me?
    This guy has a history of "milking" his injuries. What a waste of money! Cut him and teach him that he needs to fight through the pain and quit milking it!
  • Abuse
    Carlos P. wrote...
    Kolb was a mistake for the Cardinals
    Mr. Happy feet QB needs to be released by the Cardinals ASAP. He has happy feet, does not see the field well (Skelton ALMOST does a better job and will with time), will not be able to take the punishment the O-line is allowing to get to the QB. Cards seriously need help across the O-line...and barring that they need a QB that is a quick read with a quick release.... 'nuff said. Happy New Year to all. I hope Fitzgerald stays....he's why many of us watch the Cardinals. Class act.
  • Abuse
    ProudMexicanAm wrote...
    besides his injuries are not issue
    Really why would you want him in there anyways that guy can't play, he has not shown anything, overrated and really we should try to trade him in the off season get something back. May be a 6th rd pick or something. Great media sale, horrible qb. Give me big john skelton any day. The man is got heart and is not afraid. Lets' get a better o line focus on that and getting a veteran back up to help in the development of our young future qb. Let's get Todd hailey back calling the plays and let Whis handle everything else. Got to dream. Well that is my hope for next year.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Everyone has a good point
    The 2 Tackles suck so bad that if AZ does keep them it doesnt matter which QB they put in, they wont do anything. They should keep Campbell cuz hes a beast. Problem with AZ is they dont know how to put together a team without overpaying individual players. What do I mean? The team has nothing going for them to keep a player here to play for a Championship instead of a big payday. My primary example (I hate to do this) is Fitz. If AZ didnt make Fitz the highest paid WR ever then he woulda took a paycut to play with Brady or Rodgers. Why? Cuz those teams have something going for them.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Cont'
    The only way to develop a QB is to get him some protection and time to throw the ball. They need to get rid of every offensive lineman that isnt worth a lick and sign someone relevant to replace them because thats the only way Kolb or Skelton will progress. Beanie and the other WR's need to step it up a notch. We need to resign campbell and draft some safeties to learn under Rhodes and Wilson cuz they aint gonna play forever.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Theres more to it than Kolb
    The whole offense needs a reality check.
  • Abuse
    Jarrod P. wrote...
    PLAY BOTH
    Use them both. rotate each drive or each quarter..
  • Abuse
    akubra wrote...
    Cry baby
    I've had concussions and have recovered in less time than Kolb is taking. If it's turf toe, say it's turf toe and not a concussion! If it's a concussion, Kolb needs to re think his career choice. I saw the hot on tv and I think Kolb is "milking it" just like he did on his last team. Maybe he should retire if he finds that he still has problems! btg1964, do you feel like a big man now for calling me an idiot?
  • Abuse
    BrewCrewAZ wrote...
    Akubra
    I'm guessing you don't play professional football or have a team investing millions in you to go re-injure yourself. It's called protecting your investment. There's a reason there are concussion guidelines in the league. Was Warner being a wimp for sitting out that Tennessee game a few years ago?
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