Rookie DT Robert Nkemdiche among Cardinals inactives vs. Bills

For a second straight game, rookie defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche will be in street clothes rather than an Arizona Cardinals uniform.

He’s among the team’s seven inactives for Sunday’s matchup against the Bills in Buffalo.

Nkemdiche was once again limited in practice all week because of an ankle issue. It’s the same ankle that he sprained ahead of training camp and kept him off the field for nearly a month.

The remaining inactives are right guard Evan Mathis, linebacker Kareem Martin, defensive tackles Frostee Rucker, Olsen Pierre and Xavier Williams plus safety Marqui Christian.

Mathis (foot/toe) had already been ruled out and did not make the trip. Earl Watford will start in his place.

Martin (knee) and Rucker (knee), meanwhile, were each considered doubtful to play. Martin has yet to see the field this season. Rucker is missing his second consecutive game.

For the Bills, receivers Sammy Watkins (foot) and Greg Salas (groin) plus starting left tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle), safety Colt Anderson (foot), cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring) are out due to injury.

The others not in uniform for Buffalo are quarterback Cardale Jones and center Patrick Lewis.

The Cardinals are hoping for a better start than what they’ve shown thus far. They have yet to score in the first quarter.

“Execution,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “I don’t think, in the first two games, we’ve been unprepared for a look. It just comes down to execution and being efficient. We haven’t been efficient enough in those first couple of drives of the game to go down and score.”

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