Whisenhunt ‘hopeful’ John Skelton will be available

Less than 48 hours away from kickoff against the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals still don’t have a clear picture on their quarterback position.

That’s because head coach Ken Whisenhunt isn’t sharing too much information on it.

After practice Friday, Whisenhunt still wouldn’t offer up a definitive decision, instead suggesting optimism on the John Skelton front.

“I have hope that he can be available,” Whisenhunt said. “(Friday) he was out of the boot and did some work on the field and the rehab stuff. I know he’s into the plan mentally.”

Skelton injured his ankle in the fourth quarter of the Cardinals’ 20-16 season-opening win over Seattle last Sunday. He was replaced by Kevin Kolb, who led the Cardinals on the go-ahead scoring drive.

So does Whisenhunt’s optimism mean that a player who was carted off the field with his right leg in an air cast five days ago is going to play Sunday?

“It’s doubtful that he would play, but I was encouraged by what I saw out of him today.”

So it’s likely (although not official) that Kolb will make his first start of the season, 17th of his career and 10th as a Cardinal Sunday.

Arizona Sports’ Adam Green contributed to this report

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