ARIZONA CARDINALS

Camp K notes: Cardinals integrate DBs; DeAndre Hopkins still easing in

Aug 23, 2020, 5:15 PM | Updated: 5:16 pm

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback B.W. Webb (23) breaks up a pass to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver La...

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback B.W. Webb (23) breaks up a pass to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)

(AP Photo/Frank Victores)

Time is running short for the Arizona Cardinals to make roster decisions, yet three new faces are hoping to stand out in the defensive backfield.

Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick signed with Arizona on Sunday after the Cardinals added nickel B.W. Webb and corner Ken Crawley at the end of last week. All three of those players have worked in defenses similar to what Cardinals coordinator Vance Joseph runs, and Kirkpatrick did so directly under Joseph as a young player with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2014-15.

“Well, Dre has been a starting corner in this league for the last four or five years,” Joseph said. “He’s had some really good years in this league. He’s excited about being here and he’s obviously familiar with most of our system but some things have changed in the last four to five years when it comes to my system. We’re excited to have Dre here and we’ll see how it shakes out.”

Kirkpatrick signed just before practice and was not on the field Sunday. He and the two other veteran newcomers must make impressions before the Sept. 5 deadline for 53-man roster cuts.

The learning curve for them may not be steep, but they still have to convince the Cardinals they will add value with returnees Byron Murphy, Kevin Peterson and Chris Jones already familiar in Joseph’s defense.

Undrafted rookie Jace Whittaker and second-year pro Jalen Davis have also stood out in camp at the nickel spot with Murphy still taking first-team reps at cornerback.

“That young guy has made some plays,” Joseph said of Whittaker. “He’s made some plays but he’s still a rookie. It’s tough to tell how far he’s come in practice in a controlled environment.”

The fourth, fifth and possibly sixth corner/nickel positions remain “up for grabs,” Joseph said.

False positives come at a good time

At least 10 NFL teams from the Midwest to the East Coast were impacted Sunday by false coronavirus positive tests. They were linked to a specific lab in New Jersey, and the issue kept handfuls of players from participating in practices Sunday.

Cardinals offensive lineman Justin Pugh said that the blips at least give the NFL the opportunity to find solutions before the regular season begins.

“It’s definitely a concern. I’m glad we’re starting to figure the kinks out while we’re in training camp,” Pugh said.

Joseph added that the Cardinals believe they have remained urgent in keeping up with protocols.

“Our guys so far have done a great job from a team standpoint, from a player standpoint,” the defensive coordinator said. “We’ve been really informing players of what to do on a daily basis and not to get complacent with this virus because once it strikes, it’s ongoing.”

EXTRA POINTS

— Receiver DeAndre Hopkins went through warmups without a helmet and then did not participate in individual skill drills with the wide receivers during the portion of practice open to the media on Sunday. He had gone through at least skill drills last week but apparently is still taking it easy with hamstring tightness.

— Tight end Maxx Williams, who missed two practices at the end of last week, was again not participating in practice. Also not there were OLB Chandler Jones, RT Kelvin Beachum and NT Corey Peters.

— Pugh on whether the Cardinals look at averaging better than 5.0 yards per carry last year and can reset the franchise mark again this year: “Obviously we want to be better. It would be foolish not to.”

— Rookie defensive tackle Leki Fotu said he is targeting losing weight as he transitions to an attacking interior rushing role as a pro. A nose tackle in college at Utah, he is down to 335 pounds and wants to shed 10 more pounds.

— Fotu, on not wearing gloves and losing finger nails at times: “On those days my nails come off, it’s a sign to me I should have clipped my nails before going out there.”

Arizona Cardinals

The Chiefs try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this t...

Associated Press

Chiefs aim to make history in city where they won their first Super Bowl

The Chiefs will try to make history against the Eagles by winning a third consecutive Super Bowl, this time in the same city where they won their first.

3 hours ago

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday...

Associated Press

Eagles’ Super Bowl path paved by prowess of their offensive line

The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line could prove to be a pivotal factor in the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

6 hours ago

Tush push...

Associated Press

Chiefs think they have answer for Eagles’ tush push in Super Bowl

No team has taken advantage of the tush push the way the Eagles have, but the Chiefs think they have an answer for a play deemed unstoppable.

19 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

1 day ago

Bidwill...

Associated Press

Former Cardinals employee files lawsuit against owner Michael Bidwill for verbal abuse

A former assistant to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill filed a lawsuit against him, saying that she was verbally abused during her tenure.

2 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

2 days ago

Camp K notes: Cardinals integrate DBs; DeAndre Hopkins still easing in