Reports: Cardinals’ Watt likely out vs. Chiefs, Ertz expectedly in

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt will likely miss Sunday’s season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday night.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed that expectation, while adding that Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz (calf) is expected to be available. He also entered the game listed as questionable. That should at least help an Arizona team already down receivers in DeAndre Hopkins (suspension), Rondale Moore (hamstring) and Antoine Wesley (groin/hip).

Watt did not participate in practice all week as he deals with an injured calf. He was listed questionable for Sunday’s game on Friday’s injury report.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury called Watt “day-to-day” with a calf strain after practice on Friday.

“If he can go on Sunday, he’ll go and if not, we’ll get him ready for next week,” Kingsbury said.

Watt also missed time in training camp after testing positive for COVID-19, which caused him to skip Arizona’s trip to Tennessee and joint practice with the Titans.

The Cardinals will rely on their young defensive line depth Sunday, a group that includes Zach Allen, Rashard Lawrence, Michael Dogbe, Jonathan Ledbetter and Leki Fotu.

Watt is in his second season with Arizona after signing as a free agent in March of 2021. He only played in seven regular season games last year, as he suffered shoulder injuries in Week 7.

The five-time All-Pro returned for Arizona’s playoff loss against the Los Angeles Rams.

Four Cardinals were marked questionable on Friday’s injury report, including tight end Ertz (calf), guard Justin Pugh (neck) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (illness).

Moore and cornerback Trevon Mullen were ruled out, as was guard Cody Ford, who has since been placed on injured reserve.

Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. Tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

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