Injuries to Cardinals offense become a concern in win over 49ers
Oct 10, 2021, 9:10 PM | Updated: Oct 11, 2021, 7:48 am
A gritty, physical win for the Arizona Cardinals over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday left the offensive side of the ball a little banged up.
Quarterback Kyler Murray’s right arm area was worked on by the training staff throughout the fourth quarter after taking a hit from defensive lineman Nick Bosa at a time when center Rodney Hudson (ribs) and tight end Maxx Williams (knee) were already removed from the game with injuries.
Williams’ injury is believed to be season-ending, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“I’ll be fine,” Murray said after the game when asked specifically about his right shoulder.
Murray took a hit while throwing the ball away in the third quarter on 2nd-and-12 from Arizona’s 5-yard line.
Bosa put pressure on Murray, forcing him to throw an uncatchable ball toward rookie wide receiver Rondale Moore to avoid a safety. It was then that TV cameras focused on the training staff working on the quarterback’s arm.
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Murray, however, would bounce back, going 4-for-5 with 52 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Bigger (men) concerns
While Murray seems to think he will be able to quickly recover from his nicks, the extent of Hudson’s and Williams’ injuries are still unknown known.
An injury to Hudson’s ribs forced him to miss most of the second half.
“Hopefully, Rodney will be good, I think Max (Garcia) came in and did a great job,” Murray said. “For Rod to go down, obviously one of our captains, we looked to him, but Max came in and did a great job. Hopefully I think Rod should be — talked to him, I think he should be good.”
A second-round pick in 2011 and a three-time Pro Bowler, Hudson’s impact on the offensive has been key for improved cohesion on the line.
Taking his place Sunday was Garcia, who has seen has seen increased playing time since making his first appearance of the season in Week 3 at guard.
As for Williams, he was putting together the finest season of his career before being carted off the field at the end of the second quarter.
49ers defensive back Emmanuel Moseley went low, tackling Williams on his first reception of the game, awkwardly bending Williams’ right knee in a sideways direction.
Before he was carted off the field, the entire Cardinals bench left the sideline to show their support.
Williams was providing the Cardinals offense with a tight end threat the team hadn’t had in years.
His seven-catch, 94-yard effort in Week 2 against the Vikings were both career highs for the sixth-year pro.
