Cardinals’ home game vs. Broncos suddenly just got a lot tougher

TEMPE — Coming off a major upset of the Los Angeles Rams, the Arizona Cardinals headed into their Week 7 prep for the Denver Broncos riding momentum and flipping the narrative for at least a week.

Could the Cardinals actually pull off their first home win since Week 2 of last year (nine straight losses) and give fans even more to cheer for beyond Larry Fitzgerald’s Ring of Honor induction and jersey retirement?

Even having those thoughts after watching Arizona’s disastrous four-game losing streak and knowing another tough test is on the way this week says something.

But as the week has progressed, the injury issues have only stacked up, leaving Arizona to rely even more on its depth pieces at some very important spots in the lineup.

And no, I’m not just talking about rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, who is missing his second straight game of the year with an ankle issue.

Offensively, it starts up front with right guard Jon Gaines II sidelined with a knee issue from Thursday’s practice. Already down Isaiah Adams and rookie Chase Bisontis, it’s now on 2025 sixth-round pick Hayden Conner to carry the load.

Toss in rookie left tackle Jayden Williams’ short tenure in the starting lineup, and Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen should be salivating at the potential to get in the backfield.

Allen has been everything and more for the Broncos since leaving the Cardinals in 2022. He earned two All-Pro nods the past two seasons and is trending toward being in the mix once more this year.

Through six games, he has registered 4.5 sacks, 20 total pressures, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 16 QB hits.

 

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“I was so young and I didn’t really have to block him back in the day (2022). He’s a tremendous player. He’s an All-Pro, Pro Bowler, all of the above,” tight end Trey McBride said of his former teammate. “He’s a really good football player. Obviously, we wish he was still here but that’s OK.

“I didn’t really know how good he was when he was here. I was a rookie, bullets were flying, everything was fast to me then. I think he’s a tremendous player and I got a ton of respect for him.”

It’s not just Allen that Arizona is up against this week, either. Nik Bonito is up to 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Then there’s Jonathan Cooper, who has since been reinstated from the Commissioner’s List. There likely will be some rust in his first game back, but after racking up at least eight sacks and eight tackles for loss in each of the previous three seasons, he’s expected to make an impact.

Cardinals trenches impacted on both sides of the ball

Arizona’s offense isn’t the only unit going through the injury issues this week.

On the other side of the trenches, Walter Nolen III is down with an ankle issue.

Darius Robinson, who is playing some of his best ball right now, also showed up on the injury report Thursday with a back injury, though he did get work in during Friday’s practice.

Darius Robinson, Budda Baker and Garrett Williams were all practicing Friday.

Did not see Carson Beck, Jeremiyah Love, Walter Nolen III, Jon Gaines II, Max Melton and Devin Duvernay during the open portion. https://t.co/gLM3oT4P1Z

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 23, 2026

With Nolen sidelined and Robinson dealing with the back issue, L.J. Collier and Dante Stills could see their snaps increase this week. Maybe that opens the door for Andrew Billings to be active, too, as an added depth piece.

Beyond the line, safety Andrew Wingard is also out this week with a knee issue. He was one of Arizona’s top performers before going down two weeks ago.

However it shakes out, Arizona still has an opportunity to get after quarterback Bo Nix. He is averaging 2.95 seconds to throw, the ninth-slowest average this year. And when the ball does come out of his hands, it’s been mainly short throws or checkdowns.

Denver’s offense (252.2 yards per game) has been rough to start the year. Only the Tennessee Titans (236.6) are sporting a worse unit six weeks in.

In just about every major offensive category — passing, rushing, points scored — Denver is in the bottom 10 of the league.

Much like Allen and the Broncos pass-rushing corps, Josh Sweat has a good chance at causing some problems.

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