Notes from the Nest: Arizona Cardinals training camp – Aug. 26

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals are on the cusp of finishing up their training camp tenure at University of Phoenix Stadium. That we are in the waning days of camp shows, with dwindling crowd numbers and even less in the way of super-intense practices. Yet, trudge on the team does, and Wednesday the players were in pads.

The Good

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald continued his good camp with some real nice catches.

Patrick Peterson made a couple of good plays, coming up with an interception in 11-on-11 early in practice and then nearly nabbing another in breaking up a pass intended for Travis Harvey.

Defensive lineman Frostee Rucker just obliterated receiver Jaxon Shipley while the latter was coming around on a reverse.

Calais Campbell appeared to come up with the ball after chasing Phillip Sims down the line. Was it intercepted? Fumbled? Just handed to him? I couldn’t tell, but Campbell made a nice play either way.

Cornerback Cariel Brooks picked off a pass.

Phillip Sims showed excellent accuracy and touch on a down-field throw to Trevor Harman during 7-on-7.

Tyrann Mathieu did a nice job preventing a completion to receiver Ryan Spadola in 11-on-11.

The Bad

If you like big plays on offense then the fact there really weren’t any Wednesday would probably bother you.

There were a couple instances with Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas and Phillip Sims where it appeared the protection broke down. That, or the coverage down field was superb.

The Injury Report

Here’s who missed Wednesday’s practice:

WR Michael Floyd

LG Mike Iupati

OL Earl Watford

RB Chris Johnson

LB Sean Weatherspoon

CB Jerraud Powers

TE Troy Niklas

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Watford should be back Thursday, and was hopeful Johnson and Weatherspoon would be ready by the end of the week. He added Niklas re-injured his hamstring, and there is no timetable yet for his return.

Notable

Shaq Riddick got his first taste of extended time on the field, seeing action in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11.

Michael Floyd was seen without much of anything on his ailing left hand, so it appears he’s improving. Arians said he wouldn’t put it past the WR to be ready for Week 1.

Justin Bethel may not be taking Jerraud Powers’ job at cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson, but Arians said he has impressed them to the point where they will put in a couple of packages in order to get No. 28 on the field more.

Quotable

“I don’t like to use the word ‘old,’ though. You can use it when you talk about coaches. I’m in my mid-to-early 30s, and in quarterback years that’s middle of the road in my book.” – Carson Palmer

“No, he works out like a wild man. He’s got his own gym and all that stuff. He’s a fitness nut and he makes his own beer, that’s a pretty damn good combination.” – Bruce Arians on if he’s noticed any changes in Jared Veldheer’s physicality or body type this year

“I’m waiting to see what will happen next, and I’m really excited. I consider this a complete win. The biggest question coming in was would guys in the NFL respond to a woman coaching them, and obviously that’s a ‘yes.’ So I couldn’t be more happy and that’s what I’m focusing on right now.” – Coach Jen Welter on if she thinks beyond next week, when her internship comes to an end

No Highlights

Sorry, the Cards didn’t post any and that’s where they come from.

Up Next

The Cardinals have a walkthrough scheduled for Thursday morning and then another practice at 2 p.m.

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