Cardinals’ coach Bruce Arians on injuries: We’re probably going to lose a few guys for the season

Sep 22, 2013, 10:05 PM | Updated: Sep 23, 2013, 4:16 am

As if getting trounced 31-7 on the road by the New Orleans Saints wasn’t bad enough, the Arizona Cardinals might be facing an ever tougher week ahead given the notable injuries sustained Sunday afternoon.

Both special teams standout/outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (right foot) and safety Rashad Johnson (finger) left the contest in the first half. And, outside linebacker Sam Acho had to be carted back to the locker room with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

So, when asked by Arizona Sports 620’s Paul Calvisi about where his team’s focus will be going into a Week 4 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians didn’t talk X’s and O’s. Instead, he turned his attention to the health of his players.

“The biggest thing will be to overcome the injuries and to get young players ready to play and the replacements that are now starters,” Arians said. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to lose a couple of guys probably for the season.

“We’ll wait until Wednesday to see how that goes with the X-rays and everything.”

Arians didn’t specify which starters could be lost for the season, but any of the three could significantly alter their respective units.

Alexander, a Pro Bowler in 2012, has four tackles and a pass deflection in 2013.

Acho also has four tackles and added a sack in Sunday’s loss.

Johnson, a first-year starter, has 13 tackles this season.

“We have to regroup. Change has not been good to us,” said Arians. “I’ve already challenged our guys to accept the change of this week, being in Florida practicing and dedicating everything they’ve got to come out of here 2-2. We can still reach our goals.”

Arizona Cardinals running back Alfonso Smith (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals running back Alfonso Smith (29) dives over the goal line to score a touchdown as New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) and outside linebacker David Hawthorne (57) defend in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem catches a touchdown pass in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) and strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) and middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a pass over New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Karlos Dansby after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Sam Acho as Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) tries to block in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) pulls in a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, talks to quarterback Carson Palmer (3) in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saintsin New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals defensive end Matt Shaughnessy (91) wraps up New Orleans Saints fullback Jed Collins (45) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) passes as New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) passes as New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) and outside linebacker Junior Galette (93) pressure him in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks at his play chart in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates with cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) after intercepting a pass in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) 
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) rushes for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) and Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) look on. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. Saints wide receiver Lance Moore (16) and Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) look on. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) is wrapped up by New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts (12) tries to pull in a pass in front of New Orleans Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) 
New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (43) rushes against Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham (55) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) pulls in a pass over Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) reaches over the goal line on a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013.(AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) slam dunks over the goalpost after scoring on a touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) slides under Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (32) after carrying for a gain in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) celebrates his interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Bill Haber) New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, left, shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians after an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. The Saints won 31-7. (AP Photo/Bill Feig) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) shakes hands with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, left, after an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013. The Saints won 31-7. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to the media at a press conference after an N...
Arizona Sports

Kiper: Lamar Jackson trade saga may jolt Cardinals’ trade-down draft hopes

Teams looking to trade up into the Arizona Cardinals’ slot will not likely commit until after Lamar Jackson’s fate is settled. 
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon speaks with reporters during the annual league meeting...
Tyler Drake

‘Games aren’t won in free agency’: Gannon pushes back on perception of Cards’ moves

The Cardinals' offseason haul of free agents hasn't received much fanfare from many who follow the team or those on the outside looking in.
2 days ago
Carlos Watkins #91 of the Dallas Cowboys runs into the endzone for a touchdown as Taysom Hill #7 of...
Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals sign former Cowboys DL Carlos Watkins

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Carlos Watkins on Thursday.
3 days ago
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton kneels on the field before the AFC championship NFL foo...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals ink Rashad Fenton to boost CB depth

The Arizona Cardinals signed former Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Rashad Fenton to a one-year deal on Thursday.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Sports

Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown fined in speeding case

Arizona Cardinals receiver Hollywood Brown was fined $473 with credit for time served for an August speeding arrest on the Loop 101 freeway.
4 days ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
4 days ago
Cardinals’ coach Bruce Arians on injuries: We’re probably going to lose a few guys for the season