Cardinals’ Kliff Kingsbury vague on Christian Kirk, Zach Allen injuries

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is playing the injury status of wide receiver Christian Kirk and rookie defensive lineman Zach Allen close to the vest.

Kirk (ankle) and Allen (shoulder) both suffered their injuries in Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Kingsbury joined 98.7 FM Arizona Sports Station’s Bickley & Marotta on Monday and had a very short answer when asked for an injury update.

“Still working through it. We’ll know Wednesday exactly where they’re at.”

The Cardinals are already dealing with injuries at the WR position.

Damiere Byrd was unable to suit up on Sunday due to a hamstring injury, and after failing to even practice last week, there’s no telling when he may return to the playing field.

And with the team releasing Michael Crabtree last week, Kirk missing time would mean that only four healthy pass-catchers remain on the roster in Larry Fitzgerald, Trent Sherfield, and rookies KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella, who has yet to make his first career reception in the NFL.

However, the Cardinals did re-sign wide receiver A.J. Richardson to the practice squad and placed WR Johnnie Dixon on the practice squad injured reserve. Richardson spent time with the team this offseason and preseason.

Kirk has been one of rookie quarterback Kyler Murray’s favorite targets this year, as the wideout leads the team in targets (37) and receptions (24), just one better than Fitzgerald in both categories.

But should Kirk be forced to watch from the sideline, perhaps running back David Johnson will see more time in the slot. Johnson has already been utilized in that position this season, as he is third on the team in targets (28), receptions (21) and yards (182), while his two touchdown catches are tied with Fitzgerald for the most on the team.

Through four games, Johnson is on pace for 728 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns on 82 catches.

It’s no secret what the Cardinals defense in 2019 has been.

Bad.

The team is allowing 417.5 total yards a game, 146.5 of which has been on the ground (fifth-worst in the NFL) — and 28.75 points a game (fourth-worst in the NFL).

Only one team has averaged more yards allowed per game: the Miami Dolphins (472).

While Allen has only started once this season, the defensive lineman is tied for second in combined tackles (eight) and second in solo tackles (6) on the team at his position. The rookie is also second on the entire team in QB hits (three), only trailing outside linebacker Chandler Jones by one.

So for a winless team that is already struggling mightily, adding insult to injury — literally — isn’t going to help aid the Cardinals as they continue to search for their first win of the Kingsbury era.

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