ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Andy Isabella determined to get back on field after ‘tough’ stretch

Sep 1, 2021, 2:06 PM | Updated: Sep 2, 2021, 1:08 pm

Cardinals WR Andy Isabella (17) runs through drills while head coach Kliff Kingsbury (left) looks o...

Cardinals WR Andy Isabella (17) runs through drills while head coach Kliff Kingsbury (left) looks on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

TEMPE — Of the three wide receivers the Arizona Cardinals selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, only second-round choice Andy Isabella remains following Tuesday’s cuts.

And after a slow start to his NFL career, Isabella’s spot on the initial 53-man roster was up for debate.

The offseason didn’t do him any favors.

Landing on the COVID-19 list twice over the course of training camp, 15 days in total, Isabella was left to sit at home while everyone else was competing for their respective jobs.

When he finally did make it out of COVID-19 protocols, another wrench was thrown into his plans in the form of Hurricane Ida.

After missing the first two preseason games, Isabella was poised for an extended look in the team’s finale against the New Orleans Saints.

But mid-flight, Arizona’s plane turned back around with the impeding hurricane approaching Louisiana. The Cardinals’ preseason came to an end and Isabella was left without any game tape.

“It sucks, the position I’m in,” Isabella said Wednesday. “I gotta really fight my way to get put on the field now. I was way behind, so it’s frustrating but I’m just doing what I can.”

Last season, Isabella recorded 224 yards and two touchdowns on 21 catches (35 targets). While the wide receiver set career marks in 2020, it still wasn’t the production many expected to see from Isabella in Year 2.

Luckily, Isabella’s ability to play multiple roles gave him a step up on his competition.

“His explosiveness, his speed, he can play inside and outside,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday. “Very conscientious player, can play special teams, can be in the return game, can be a gunner. There’s a lot of versatility there for kinda that slot that he’s in. Makes a lot of sense for us.”

Isabella will be the first to tell you he has underperformed relative to his draft position, which is why he attacked the offseason focused on taking that next step. It makes his absence during training camp that much more frustrating.

“Right now, I just got to work my way to get on the field, that’s my main concern,” Isabella said. “Can’t do much sitting on the sidelines.”

EXTRA POINT

— Isabella on fellow 2019 draft pick KeeSean Johnson’s release: “It was tough. I think this is what he wanted. He’s betting on himself and if he gets the right opportunity, he’s gonna kill it wherever he’s at, so I’m excited for him.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ Andy Isabella determined to get back on field after ‘tough’ stretch