ARIZONA CARDINALS

Adrian Wilson to play for Cardinals in season opener vs. Panthers

Sep 9, 2011, 8:42 PM | Updated: 9:59 pm

Not even a torn bicep can stop Adrian Wilson.

The Pro-Bowl safety, out since the early parts of training camp with the injury, will suit up and play for the Cardinals when the season opens Sunday against the Panthers.

This may come as a surprise to some, but not Wilson himself.

“I’ve always been in good spirits,” Wilson said. “I never once doubted that I could come back.”

The injury Wilson suffered has caused others to lose entire seasons, so for him to be back just more than one month later is, well, a big boost for the team.

“I think guys recognize that Adrian’s a good football player,” head coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “He was voted as a captain, so they have a lot of respect for him.

“So obviously we get a boost when he comes back.”

Yes, having a player of Wilson’s caliber on the field is a positive for a team that is hoping to erase the bad memories of 2010 and start anew.

But, like the calendar, the Cardinals have turned the page from the 5-11 campaign and are ready to move forward.

“It was a different set of circumstances, different team,” Wilson said of moving on. “Everything was different, so I think it’s a different attitude now as opposed to last year.”

And, as far as attitudes are concerned, Wilson’s may be the very reason why he recovered so quickly.

Whisenhunt said the safety stays in great shape, which certainly helped him recover, and didn’t stop working over the last month so that he’d be ready to go on September 11.

“He’s worked, he’s stayed up, he’s been to all his treatments, been in the meetings, stayed in tune with what’s going on,” he said.

The real question now is how effective the veteran will be. Whisenhunt said there will be no restrictions placed on the 31-year-old, who will be wearing a brace, and at this point it would probably be unwise to doubt what the guy can do on the field.

After all, he did come back from this injury.

“Anything’s possible,” Wilson said. “[The media] ruled me out; I never ruled myself out.”

Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

19 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

22 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Adrian Wilson to play for Cardinals in season opener vs. Panthers