Cardinals’ Arians ‘a little concerned’ with Mike Iupati’s arm injury
Aug 23, 2017, 7:44 AM | Updated: 11:31 am
Arizona Cardinals' Mike Iupati (76) gets ready to put a block on Josh Mauro, left, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Overall, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is pleased with where his team is at this point of training camp.
That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have some concerns.
Namely, the offensive line, where left guard Mike Iupati left practice with a triceps injury Monday, has the veteran head coach a little antsy.
“I’m a little concerned with Iupati’s arm injury, but hopefully it calms down pretty quickly,” Arians told Bickley and Marotta Tuesday on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station.
Not having Iupati, a four-time Pro Bowler, changes the dynamic of the starting offensive line and, of course, the depth level on it.
“The first six, I’m real comfortable (with),” Arians said, addressing the depth. “That second (group of) five or six guys, they’ve got a lot to prove.”
Veteran John Wetzel will move into Iupati’s spot at left guard for the time being. After Iupati’s exit Monday, second-year player Cole Toner jumped in to take first-team reps at guard, but for now, he’ll remain the team’s backup center behind A.Q. Shipley.
Arians should update Iupati’s injury situation following Wednesday morning’s walk-through at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Cardinals travel to face the Atlanta Falcons Saturday at the brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in their fourth of five preseason games. Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m. and pregame coverage starts at 12:30 on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station.
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