Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald says he’s ‘highly likely’ to play Sunday vs. Falcons
Nov 27, 2014, 9:23 PM | Updated: 9:23 pm
TEMPE, Ariz. — Larry Fitzgerald could only watch from the sideline as the Arizona Cardinals struggled offensively last week in a 19-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
“It sucked, just not being out there with your teammates,” Fitzgerald said Thursday. “I can’t even remember the last time I missed a game before that, so it was just like, I didn’t know what the routine was, like what I was supposed to do.
“It was just a really awkward feeling to be there, but not being able to actually do anything to help your team. So that was frustrating, but I just need to make sure I’m getting well and that when I do come, back I’m playing at a high level.”
Fitzgerald, who is recovering from a sprained MCL suffered nearly two weeks ago against the Detroit Lions, said he feels “much better” this week compared to last, adding that he is getting stronger every day and is able to run.
When asked to assess his chances of playing Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, he said, “highly likely,” before noting that it’s not his call.
Fitzgerald leads the Cardinals with 46 catches for 658 yards, though it’s unlikely his presence alone would have led to a different result last Sunday in Seattle.
“At the end of the day, just looking back at that game, we don’t drop a couple balls or if we don’t make a huge play and get a penalty, you really don’t notice Larry’s not there,” offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin said. “Did we miss him? Yeah, we missed him, because he’s one of our veteran leaders.”
If Fitzgerald is unable to play, Goodwin said it will be all about their ‘next man up’ mantra, though having him on the field helps because opposing defenses have to worry about a player with his track record and skillset.
This time a week ago Fitzgerald was optimistic he would be on the field in Seattle, and while that ultimately did not happen, he’s hopeful things will be different this Sunday. He is not worried about a lack of practice time being a problem because he’s in every meeting, doing everything required of a receiver during the week other than running routes on the field.
When he does play, he will be wearing a brace on the knee, which Fitzgerald said is more cumbersome than restrictive.
He also will make sure he will be full-go, and not a shell of his normal self. If he plays, he’s ready to be Fitz.
“After the Detroit game, Coach looked me in the eyes, and if there’s one thing I never want to lose is his trust in me,” Fitzgerald said. “Last year, when I messed up my hamstring going into the San Francisco game, he asked me, he said, ‘Fitz, can you play, can you be effective?’ And I went out there and I had a good game for him.
“Last week, he said, ‘Hey Fitz, I need a full-speed guy, I need somebody I can rely on.’ Because I don’t want to mess up Drew (Stanton). He has got his play calls; I don’t ever want to mess up that trust. He trusts me and I don’t ever want to break that. So if I can go out there and I can go full speed I’m going to tell him, and if I’m iffy and I’m feeling I can’t do it to the best of my ability and I’m not as good as the guy that would come in and take my place, then that’s selfish. So you have to make sure you’re being aware of that.”