Cardinals could start Joe Barksdale or Will Holden at RT vs. Lions
Dec 7, 2018, 2:48 PM
(AP Photos)
(AP Photos)
TEMPE, Ariz. — Cardinals coach Steve Wilks hasn’t ruled out starting recently-signed tackle Joe Barksdale on Sunday as Arizona hosts the Detroit Lions.
Barksdale, an eight-year pro who was released from the Los Angeles Chargers this week in what he called a mutual decision, inked with the Cardinals as they placed starting left tackle D.J. Humphries on the injured reserve list Wednesday.
Wilks said earlier in the week that second-year pro Will Holden, who joined the team last week and started at right tackle at Green Bay, would be the starter.
With Barksdale prepped enough, the Cardinals are calling it a game-time decision.
“He looked great, to be honest,” Wilks said Friday. “Understanding the system … he knows the terminology. I think he’s going to be fine.”
RELATED STORIES
Barksdale, 30, would be the oldest member of the Arizona offensive line. He and right guard Oday Aboushi, 27, are joined by three rookies at left tackle, left guard and center.
“I see myself as a rookie with eight years experience,” Barksdale said of being surrounded by young teammates along the line. “At the end of the day, you never stop learning. There’s never something you can’t get better at. Learn along with them.
“There’s a learning curve. But, you know, I’m a professional. Think I’ll be fine.”
Stepping in for Kirk
Losing receiver Christian Kirk for the final four games due to a broken foot not only took the Cardinals’ most productive wide receiver — it took a steady, threatening punt returner.
Wilks said receiver J.J. Nelson and running back T.J. Logan are the next players up, as the team’s depth chart indicated.
Injury update
– Arizona will be without linebacker Deone Bucannon due to a chest injury against the Lions.
– Slot corner Budda Baker is listed as questionable to play with a knee injury that saw him leave and then return in Sunday’s win at Green Bay.
“This is really the first kind of big injury I’d have in my life,” Baker said this week. “There’s definitely sometimes you get up out of bed to maybe do something real fast and it’ll stop you — nah, wait, hold on. You can’t do this right now.”
