Kerry Taylor steps up for Arizona Cardinals in win over Detroit Lions

Sep 16, 2013, 1:46 AM | Updated: 1:47 am

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals receiver Kerry Taylor likely always dreamed of making his first NFL reception, though chances are he never pictured it being thrown by a defensive back.

However, that’s exactly what happened, as Patrick Peterson’s toss to Taylor down the sideline accounted for 17-yards, and a memorable moment.

“I didn’t even think about it, but it was brought to my attention that it was my first catch in the NFL thrown by a corner,” Taylor said after Arizona’s 25-21 win over Detroit. “I got to thank Pat on that one.”

Taylor, who was not activated from the practice squad until Saturday, caught three passes for 40 yards on the afternoon. His receptions led to first downs and helped keep drives alive, and his overall play allowed the Cardinals to withstand the loss of Larry Fitzgerald, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

“Take a guy off of practice squad, I think he had four or five catches, critical ones,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said of Taylor.

That Taylor came in and played well should not come as a huge surprise, as the 24-year-old Arizona State product had a strong training camp and preseason for the team. But then again, one would think it would be rather difficult to fill in for a perennial Pro Bowler like Fitzgerald.

But Fitzgerald said he had total confidence in his replacement.

“I knew he was prepared mentally, physically and psychologically to go out there and play well,” he said.

Quarterback Carson Palmer almost seemed to be in awe of Taylor’s performance.

“The way Kerry came in and made some really nice catches, the key blocks, the running game, and to be on practice squad and make the plays he did,” he said.

For Taylor, though, it all worked out for the best. Though his road has been a long and winding one, he was able to record his first NFL receptions in the very state he grew up on, with family and friends in the stands watching.

And of course, it all happened in a win.

“Got my number called a couple times and just happy the coaches believed in me, my teammates believed in me and just got out there and got the job done,” Taylor said.

Arizona Cardinals fans hold a sign in memory of the victims of Friday's Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings during the first half of an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt makes a call against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) gains yards as Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) breaks the tackle of Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals tight end Jeff King (87) breaks the tackle of Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) tries to escape the tackle of Detroit Lions cornerback Jacob Lacey (21) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive end David Carter (79) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) 
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) cannot pull in a pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) makes an interception as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) looks to gain yardage as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett (90) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) and Daryl Washington during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley(14) celebrates a running touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) makes an interception to set up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Rashad Johnson (49) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half in an NFL football game on Sunday Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson, left, intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson, right, during the first half in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) throws against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) breaks a tackle by Arizona Cardinals cornerback William Gay (22) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) pulls in a pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson defends during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) stiff-arms Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Arizona Cardinals' Greg Toler (28) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions as teammate Kerry Rhodes (25) follows during the second half in an NFL football game on Sunday Dec. 16, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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