Arizona Cardinals’ J.J. Watt, Jalen Thompson active vs. Raiders

The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive line is set to get a boost Sunday afternoon against the Las Vegas Raiders, with J.J. Watt officially active for the Week 2 tilt.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watt will be on a pitch count in his season debut.

Watt missed Week 1’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a calf injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday after not practicing at all last week.

Gameday.

🙏🏼

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 18, 2022

Watt was among four Cardinals players listed questionable to play Sunday on Friday’s injury report, along with safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr. and left guard Justin Pugh. Pugh and Thompson are also active.

“It always helps to have good players back, obviously,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said during the week. “(Watt’s) a guy that’s a great leader. He’s a great player. He’s a calming voice in a huddle when things get crazy. So having him back, hopefully this week, will help.

Watt has not played a regular season game for the Cardinals since Week 7 last year, as he suffered multiple severe injuries in his shoulder after diving for a tackle. He returned for Arizona’s playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Arizona’s inactives list includes Mullen, WRs Rondale Moore and Andy Isabella, RB Keaontay Ingram, OLB Myjai Sanders, OL Lecitus Smith and DL Jonathan Ledbetter.

The Raiders will miss starting center Andre James, linebacker Denzel Perryman and safety Tre’von Moehrig among their seven inactives.

The following players are inactive for #ARIvsLV pic.twitter.com/DLsJKP0OWS

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 18, 2022

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

Follow @alexjweiner