Cardinals Boston, Iupati ruled out against the Broncos on Thursday

Oct 17, 2018, 12:31 PM | Updated: 5:11 pm

Arizona Cardinals safety Tre Boston (33) signals incomplete as he talks to Chicago Bears receiver Allen Robinson II after a pass attempt in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

BY TOM KUEBEL

Arizona Sports

Facing a short week with a looming Thursday night home game against the Denver Broncos, the Arizona Cardinals will be without two of their most used players.

Safety Tre Boston (ribs and shoulder) and guard Mike Iupati (back) have both been ruled out by head coach Steve Wilks in his Wednesday press conference.

Boston has appeared in more than 96 percent of the total snaps on defense and leads the team with three interceptions. He also leads the team with seven pass deflections.

The safety has been an important reason why the Cardinals have been able to transition from a 3-4 defense to a 4-2-5. His ability to roam the back end has allowed safety partners Budda Baker and Antoine Bethea to become more involved in the run game as both players lead the Cardinals defense with 55 and 53 total tackles, respectively.

Wilks said that Rudy Ford is expected to take Boston’s place on the depth chart.

Iupati has appeared in more than 82 percent of the Cardinals plays on offense, good for fourth most on that side of the ball. He is in the ninth year of his career and fourth with Arizona, but only appeared in one game in 2017 before a tricep injury ended his season.

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