ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Campbell: If recovery continues, ‘maybe I’ll have a chance to play’ vs. Eagles

Oct 24, 2014, 6:10 PM | Updated: 6:11 pm

Presented By...

It has been two and a half weeks since Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell had his MCL injured by a Julius Thomas illegal chop block during a Week 5 matchup with the Denver Broncos.

Thursday, he returned to practice for the first time since the blow, though he was limited in activity.

Later Thursday, while hosting the Big Red Rage on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, Campbell expounded on his recovery and what it meant for this weekend’s matchup in Glendale.

“I actually got to practice today, so that was huge,” he said. “And I felt good.”

The Cardinals training staff had held Campbell from practice and made him wear a brace to protect the injured ligament. On Thursday, he took that off for the first time since the injury.

“That was a big deal for me,” he said. “(We were) just trying to make sure the muscles around it do their job. You know, the knee brace kind of hinders a little bit, but I was finally able to get the doctor’s clearance, so that was huge.”

Though he missed the last two games against the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins, as well as the remainder of the aforementioned contest with the Broncos, Campbell ranks sixth on the team in tackles and has one of the team’s seven sacks. He also picked off Peyton Manning before suffering the MCL injury against the Broncos.

Beginning with the 2009 season, Campbell has ranked either first or second in sacks for the Cardinals year after year. If the defensive end isn’t cleared to play when the 5-1 Philadelphia Eagles visit this weekend, his absence will be felt.

But the 6-foot-8, 300-pounder is optimistic about his chances of suiting up.

“I was limited (Thursday),” Campbell said. “But it was promising. I felt pretty good. If things go the tomorrow and I still feel good, maybe I’ll have a chance to play.”

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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ Campbell: If recovery continues, ‘maybe I’ll have a chance to play’ vs. Eagles