Bobby Massie to make Arizona Cardinals’ season debut, start at RT
Sep 27, 2015, 11:52 AM
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Through the first two weeks, the Arizona Cardinals have not allowed a sack and rushed for better than 100 yards in each game, the latter of which hasn’t happened to begin a season in nearly a decade.
The offensive line has performed admirably despite missing starters Mike Iupati and Bobby Massie.
Iupati is still out and is listed among the seven game-day inactives.
Massie, though, will make his 2015 debut against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Not only will Massie play, but he will start and replace Earl Watford at right tackle.
“We’re going to go with Bobby Massie and see how it goes,” head coach Bruce Arians said, during his weekly TV show. “Earl did a heck of a job. We had a few too many hits on the quarterback. I’ll say this: Bobby is on a short leash.”
Massie missed the first two games serving a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, stemming from his arrest the week of the Super Bowl.
He started every game last year.
Iupati, signed to a five-year, $40 million free-agent contract in the offseason, has yet to practice fully in the two weeks since he’s been back from knee surgery.
Also inactive are quarterback Matt Barkley, wide receiver J.J. Nelson, running back Andre Ellington, linebacker Shaq Riddick, tackle D.J. Humphries and nose tackle Xavier Williams.
Nelson had already been ruled out. A shoulder injury he sustained last week at Chicago is expected to keep him off the field for two-to-four weeks.
Ellington was listed doubtful as he works his way back from a knee injury suffered Week 1.
“He’s making really good progress,” Arians said.
For the 49ers, those not dressing include wide receiver Bruce Ellington, running back Reggie Bush, cornerback Shareece Wright, guard Brandon Thomas, offensive lineman Ian Silberman, nose tackle Mike Purcell and tight end Vance McDonald.
