Cardinals WR J.J. Nelson moves on from big game

Nov 24, 2015, 8:00 AM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) makes a touchdown catch as Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

LISTEN: J.J. Nelson, Cardinals wide receiver

BY GINGER POULSON

Arizona Sports

Putting up 142 yards and one touchdown against one of the best teams in football is an impressive feat. Doing that in just your third career game? Even more impressive.

But, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson isn’t going to let it get to his head.

“I’m the type of guy, you know, I just stay level-headed, I’m going to practice the same way whether it’s on scout team or with the regular O,” Nelson told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM on Monday. “It’s still the same to me.”

Highlighted by a 64-yard touchdown reception, the rookie out of Alabama-Birmingham led the Cardinals in receiving yards in their 34-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Buried in the depth chart behind proven veterans, Nelson hadn’t seen the field much before Sunday’s game. But as a rookie, that didn’t discourage him.

“We’re seven deep. We have a lot of great guys. I feel like we have one of the best receiving cores, if not the best receiving core in the NFL. I’m a rookie so I’m just sitting back and waiting my turn,” Nelson said.

Nelson didn’t know that he’d even see the field against the Bengals until head coach Bruce Arians told him that Michael Floyd would be inactive.

“This week coach came to me and said that Mike was going to be out, I told him those were some big shoes to fill. Mike balled out this season and he balled out at Seattle. So I just tried to come out and contribute the best way I can on Sunday,” Nelson said.

It’s safe to say that Nelson, who got a game ball following his performance against the Bengals, did just that.

Nelson said that he wanted to play well for his teammates — particularly Carson Palmer and Jermaine Gresham, who are former Bengals.

“With Carson and Jermaine…they didn’t really say much going in, but we knew that it was going to be a big win for them, as well as for us,” Nelson said.

And a big win it was, moving the Cardinals to 8-2 on the season and maintaining their three-game lead in the NFC West. None of it would have happened without Nelson’s contributions, but the fifth-round pick is not content with just that game.

“It feels good, but at the end of the day we still got a long season to go,” he said.

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) tumbles in the end zone after scoring a touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard, right, falls backwards during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates his touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) rides an exercise bike during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) celebrates his touchdown with Darren Fells (85) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws to teammate Giovani Bernard (25) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) makes a touchdown catch as Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon Tate (19) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) celebrates a stop against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis discuss a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks with referee Terry McAulay (77) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) and defensive end Wallace Gilberry (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) spikes the football after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) celebrates his touchdown with Bobby Massie (70) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) pulls in a touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Shawn Williams (36) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) stiff arms Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) eludes the reach of Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert, left, scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) is hit by Arizona Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein (63) and tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Leon Hall (29) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) and linnebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Leon Hall (29) intercepts a pass intended fro Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a catch as Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals free safety Rashad Johnson (26) and defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, left, and Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talk prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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