Fitzgerald active; Gresham and Golden to debut for Cardinals vs. Bears

GLENDALE, Ariz. — If there was any worry about whether Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald would play with a tweaked hamstring that led to his head coach pulling him last Sunday against the Rams, Steve Wilks shut down any questions about Fitzgerald’s status days before a Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears.

“Larry will be ready to go on Sunday, no question,” the coach said Wednesday.

That is officially the case.

Fitzgerald will play after sitting out of practice through Wednesday and participating on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.

He’ll be joined on the offensive side of the ball by tight end Jermaine Gresham, who returns from an Achilles injury suffered less than nine months ago in the season finale on New Year’s Eve.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive end and spark-plug Markus Golden is also back from a serious injury. Golden, the Cardinals’ 2016 sack leader, played in four games last year before suffering a torn ACL against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 1.

“When you’re talking about a team that’s 0-2, that needs a spark, needs some energy, those two guys definitely bring that, particularly Jermaine,” Wilks said this week. “Very vocal, high strung guy, loves to compete, going to get his teammates going. And Markus is the same way, so I can’t wait to get those guys back out there.”

Rookie linebacker Dennis Gardeck (ankle), who was questionable, will play.

Backup safety Rudy Ford (ankle) is joined on the Cardinals’ inactive list by quarterback Mike Glennon, running back T.J. Logan, corner Deatrick Nichols, and offensive lineman Korey Cunningham. Arizona had already ruled out starting right tackle Andre Smith (elbow) and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre (toe) for the Week 3 game at State Farm Stadium.

Chicago will be without former Cardinals starting cornerback Marcus Cooper Jr. (hamstring) and fellow defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson, who were ruled out earlier this week. Here is the Bears’ full list of inactives.

#Bears Inactives at Cardinals

No. 31 Marcus Cooper Sr.
No. 36 DeAndre Houston-Carson
No. 47 Isaiah Irving
No. 49 Kylie Fitts
No. 69 Rashaad Coward
No. 83 Javon Wims
No. 97 Nick Williams#CHIvsAZ | #DaBears⁠ ⁠

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 23, 2018

Follow @kzimmermanaz