Chase Edmonds targets return after bye week, Patrick Peterson practices

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals enter Week 11 with key players dealing with injuries.

One of those players is running back Chase Edmonds, who was dealt a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him since getting hurt in Week 8.

And while the running back isn’t expected to play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Edmonds is optimistic he’ll see the field once the bye week passes.

“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling good,” Edmonds said after practice on Wednesday. “I don’t mind saying this because I really feel that good that I want to come back after the bye week. I ran out Monday and laterally I’m pretty good to where I’m able to drive off of it. Just a few steps just to be easy with it and really so I can be able to drive. Once that comes, my goal for sure is after bye week.

“The bye actually helped me out. It kinda came at the right time just because it gives me an extra week, and I should be good to go,” Edmonds addd. “I was running Monday and I felt pretty good … obviously it’s going to be a little more time in terms of just having that extra gear to kick it up, but I feel pretty good right now.”

The return of the RB is undoubtedly a positive for the team, but leaves a dilemma.

Who will get the bulk of the carries among he, Kenyan Drake and David Johnson?

While it seems likely Drake will get the majority of the carries against the 49ers, when Edmonds comes back in the mix, the Cardinals will be tasked with finding a happy median in the carries front.

With Johnson struggling and Edmonds’ production before going down with an injury, the second-year back could be in for a crucial in the offense moving forward.

In eight games this season, Edmonds sits third among the team’s rushers in yards (295) and tied for first with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray in scores (4). Edmonds also made an impact in the passing game, catching 12 balls for 105 yards and a touchdown.

On the other side of the football, cornerback Patrick Peterson continues to work to get back to full strength after suffering a calf injury in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s been a rough last two games for Peterson, who underperformed against the 49ers and then was injured against the Buccaneers. Since returning from his six-game suspension, the cornerback has recorded 19 total tackles, one for loss, a sack, an interception, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.

While the verdict is still out as to whether or not Peterson will be a full-go come Sunday, the CB did participate during the open portion of practice on Wednesday.

It’s a positive sign for the team as head coach Kliff Kingsbury was unsure if Peterson would even practice.

“I don’t know if he’ll practice just yet,” Kingsbury said ahead of practice. “We’re going to get him moving around and see exactly what he can do and it’ll be day-by-day.”

With not only his status up in the air, but also that of fellow corner Tramaine Brock Sr. (hamstring injury), the team proactively worked out players if one or both of the two can’t go against San Francisco.

“We have to figure out early in the week where [they’re] at exactly and had some guys in to workout yesterday and so we’re preparing ourselves in case.”

From the gridiron to the hardwood

Anyone else catch the Phoenix Suns game last night?

More noteably, the exchange between Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James?

LeBron daps up Kyler Murray pic.twitter.com/QoesxmyqMw

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) November 13, 2019

No words were exchanged, but the gesture was surely felt by Murray.

“It was crazy for me just because he’s like Michael Jordan for kids my age so getting to watch him up close and then acknowledging me at the end was pretty dope.

“He just dapped me up, it was kinda understood.”

But don’t expect the rookie to shout it from the rooftops.

“He’s that guy that’s like, ‘yo just chill out, bro’ but I know he was definitely geeked about it as he should be,” Edmonds said of his QB.

All jokes aside, Edmonds sees the exchange as more than just a friendly gesture.

“Definitely game recognizes game, especially when it’s LeBron James,” Edmonds said. “He’s not taking the time to dap up everybody that’s on courtside so that was a cool experience for me to see. I know that me and Trent [Sherfield] were looking at that video when they showed it and it was cool to see. I was happy for Kyler.”

Edmonds isn’t just versed in the courtside dap-up session, either, as Edmonds took a deep dive into the new-look Suns.

“I might lose some fans, I just think the NBA is ruled by superstars,” Edmonds said. “Devin Booker is for sure on his way to being a superstar. I just think that they’re a year away or a player away from really making some noise, especially in the Western Conference. The West is just so deep, man.

“I truly hope they make the playoffs, If they do I see them as like an eighth-seed, probably battling the Dallas [Mavericks] for the eighth seed or even San Antonio. I don’t know if San Antonio’s that strong, but I think they’re like a year away and Devin Book is obviously legit. I don’t want to lose any fans over my comments, that’s my NBA analyst answer to that.”

Edmonds didn’t stop there, either, as the running back doubled down on his Suns knowledge.

“The thing about the Suns, they’re young, so they’re always going to do the things night in and night out that some veteran teams don’t always want to do,” Edmonds said. “They’re going to play hard defense, they’re going to hustle around all the time and they’re going to be in a lot of games.

“Obviously the [Deandre] Ayton suspension hurt but I think it also helped them because certain players have to grow now. And once DA comes back I think they’ll be all right, I truly do.”

Array

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