ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals looking to ’embrace the challenge’ of postseason play

Jan 10, 2022, 5:40 PM

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury follows the play during the first half of an NFL footb...

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury follows the play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 19, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

(Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Just like that, the regular season has come to a close.

Ready or not, the quest for a Super Bowl kicks into overdrive for the Arizona Cardinals and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who along with quarterback Kyler Murray, is cracking the postseason for the first time since arriving to the Valley in 2019.

But unlike the other playoff teams, Arizona will have a little more time on its hands as it preps for a Monday night Wild Card battle against the Los Angeles Rams.

“You just embrace the challenge,” Kingsbury said Monday. “Obviously, we haven’t been a part of that yet but we’ve played some really good football games and teams and worked our way to this point. It’s about taking that next step and embracing it.”

The Cardinals have an off day Monday before they reconvene for some film study on Tuesday prior to hitting the field Thursday for the first day of practice.

RB James Conner still being evaluated

While the Cardinals embark on their week of preparation for Los Angeles, a key piece to the team’s success this season in running back James Conner remains a question mark.

The running back had turned in yet another multi-touchdown outing to go along with 93 scrimmage yards before exiting with a ribs injury early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 38-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He did not return.

“He’s still being evaluated (Monday),” Kingsbury said. “And so we’ll see how that kind of shakes out over the next couple of days.

“Hopefully it’s not too serious, but we won’t know for a couple of days.”

Conner isn’t the only Cardinals running back banged up, either, as Chase Edmonds works his way back from toe and ribs injuries.

Cards hopeful CB Marco Wilson, 2 others can contribute this week

On the defensive side of the football, Kingsbury is hopeful the trio of cornerbacks Marco Wilson, recently signed Bashaud Breeland and Kevin Peterson, who was injured in Sunday’s loss, can contribute in some form throughout the week and eventually feel good enough to play.

And with the matchup slated for Monday night, Cardinals players have an extra day to recover.

“I think it comes at the right time with some lingering injuries we’ve had with some key contributors trying to get them back on the field,” Kingsbury said of the added day. “I think it’ll be good for us to reset, get that extra day and prepare to try and win this this week.

“I think it’s sudden death and it’s one and your done if you don’t get it done. And so that is our sole focus. We’re not worried about anything past Monday night.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

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.

1 day 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.

1 day 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.

2 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.

2 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.

2 days ago

Cardinals looking to ’embrace the challenge’ of postseason play