Arizona Cardinals rookie DT Robert Nkemdiche once again inactive

GLENDALE, Ariz. – With not having played a game in 13 days, the Arizona Cardinals are a relatively healthy bunch heading into the second half of the season.

The bye week came at exactly the right time.

The Cardinals listed only two injured players among their seven inactives prior to Sunday’s NFC West meeting with the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Those two injured players are safety Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) and cornerback Tharold Simon (ankle).

The pair of defensive backs had been ruled out on Friday.

Linebacker Alex Okafor (calf) is OK to play despite being listed as questionable. He missed the game at Carolina.

Tight end Darren Fells (ankle) is also prepared to return. He, too, did not play against the Panthers.

The Cardinals’ remaining inactives include wide receiver Chris Hubert, offensive lineman Cole Toner plus defensive tackles Robert Nkemdiche, Olsen Pierre and Ed Stinson.

Nkemdiche, the team’s first-round draft pick, will be in street clothes for the fifth time this season.

For the 49ers, linebacker Aaron Lynch (ankle) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (knee) are out due to injury and among the listed inactives.

The others not in uniform for San Francisco are running back Mike Davis, tight end Je’Ron Hamm, defensive tackle Chris Jones, quarterback Christian Ponder and offensive lineman John Theus.

Both running back Carlos Hyde (shoulder) and wide receiver Torrey Smith (back) will play.

On paper, this would appear to be a very one-sided matchup, but don’t tell that to head coach Bruce Arians.

“The Niners are the Niners, you know? I don’t care what their record is,” he said. “We have to have our home game wins. The crowds have been great. I anticipate another great one, and hopefully we’ll play to the standards that our crowds cheer.”

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