Kingsbury: Cardinals’ rookies will get a chance with Swearinger’s release
Sep 30, 2019, 3:16 PM | Updated: 3:51 pm
(Left: Jalen Thompson, Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. (Right: Deionte Thompson, Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Left: Jalen Thompson, Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. (Right: Deionte Thompson, Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
With the departure of D.J. Swearinger, the Arizona Cardinals will look to other players on the roster to step up.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told 98.7 FM Arizona Sports Station’s Bickley & Marotta on Monday that rookie safeties Deionte Thompson and Jalen Thompson will have a chance to step up.
“Both guys will get a chance,” Kingsbury said. “They’ve continued to get better and improve and learn our system, and we like what we’ve seen from them.
“Young players, so they’re going to have their ups and downs. But I like their attention to detail. They both have high football IQ. They’ve just got to keep coming.”
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Deionte Thompson has played in all four games and recorded one assisted tackle. He’s recorded 97 snaps, with only 20 on defense.
The Cardinals picked up Deionte Thompson in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Coming out of Alabama, his best season came during his junior year. He recorded 78 tackles with 3.5 for loss.
The Cardinals selected Jalen Thompson out of the supplemental draft in the fifth round. During his time at Washington State, his best season came during his sophomore year where he recorded 73 tackles, 5.5 for loss, plus four picks and three fumble recoveries.
Jalen Thompson has recorded 20 special teams snaps and zero on defense in three games for the Cardinals. He did not play week three against the Carolina Panthers.
As a veteran, Swearinger posted 28 tackles.
According to Pro Football Focus, Swearinger received a 45.1 overall grade this season. He struggled in coverage with a 36.5 grade coverage grade and allowed a passer rating of 145.3 when targeted.
The Cardinals have had trouble covering tight ends this season. In Sunday’s 27-10 Week 4 loss, Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly had 57 yards on seven receptions, and tight end Luke Willson took two receptions for 26 yards.
Through four games, the Cardinals defense has allowed 10 passing touchdowns, which is tied for the second-most in the NFL with the Washington Redskins. The 0-4 Miami Dolphins have allowed 12.
The Cardinals defense has also allowed the fourth most points with 115. Along with the Denver Broncos, they’re the only team to not have an interception thus far.
Kingsbury also told the media Monday that safety Chris Banjo could get a shot, who the team signed last week.
The rookies will have the full week to prepare as the team gears up for its Week 5 road game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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