Cardinals lose Deone Bucannon, D.J. Humphries and 3 more vs. Dolphins
Dec 11, 2016, 1:25 PM | Updated: 3:51 pm
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) celebrates a stop against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
They entered their Week 14 game in Miami relatively healthy, but the Arizona Cardinals left with a 26-23 defeat along with concerns at several starting spots.
Left tackle D.J. Humphries (concussion protocol), right tackle Ulrick John (unknown), dollar linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle), safety Tyvon Branch (groin) and cornerback Marcus Cooper (back) all left the game with injuries. The secondary depth was hurt to the point that Arizona brought return man and receiver Brittan Golden in to play safety.
“A bunch of guys had to step up in this game because we had guys going down left and right,” Arians told the media after the game. “We played the fourth quarter without a nickel and (defensive coordinator James Bettcher) did a hell of a job coming up with some things to play defensively to keep us in the game.
“Offensively, we were down to our last offensive lineman that if we were to get the ball back, we would’ve had to make another offensive shift.”
John Wetzel replaced Humphries at left tackle in the first half as the starter underwent concussion protocol. Wetzel, who was replaced at right guard by Earl Watford after starting there a week prior, came off the bench but started at left tackle for the injury-riddled Cardinals earlier this year.
Humphries’ return was called questionable.
I do not see D.J. Humphries on the sideline as the second half begins.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 11, 2016
In the second half, Bucannon left while chasing down a run play and having teammate Frostee Rucker fall on his right leg. Bucannon went to the locker room with a limp and was replaced by Zaviar Gooden, who was elevated from the practice squad in November.
Miami immediately put the 2013 third-round pick in coverage and got a touchdown reception from running back Damien Williams.
Cooper was injured trying to push a Dolphin to the ground when he was hit in the back by another Miami player. Justin Bethel replaced Cooper at cornerback.
The Cardinals said both Cooper and Bucannon were questionable to return.
Branch left in the third quarter with a groin injury and was ruled out. He was on the injured reserve with a groin issue previous to last week’s game.
John left the game in the fourth quarter due to an unknown injury.
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