Cardinals LB Markus Golden will play, CB Tharold Simon inactive vs. Dolphins

With safety Tyrann Mathieu not playing, the Arizona Cardinals could not afford another significant absence on defense in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins.

And they won’t.

Linebacker Markus Golden will be available for Sunday’s game in Miami.

Golden had been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before being a limited participant on Friday.

Mathieu, by the way, is sidelined for a second straight week with a bad shoulder.

The remaining inactives are wide receiver Marquis Bundy, cornerback Tharold Simon, offensive guard Cole Toner plus defensive tackles Robert Nkemdiche, Olsen Pierre and Ed Stinson.

Simon is out with an ankle issue. Nkemdiche had been bothered by his elbow, and this week marks his fifth straight game on the inactive list and eighth overall absence this season.

For the Dolphins, center Mike Pouncey (hip), cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) defensive end Mario Williams (ankle) plus linebackers Kiko Alonso (hand/hamstring) and Jelani Jenkins (knee/hand) are out due to injury.

Pouncey is missing his third straight game.

The others not in uniform for Miami are tight end Thomas Duarte and wide receiver Rashawn Scott.

This week, the Cardinals are looking to win back-to-back games for just the second time this season.

“I wouldn’t say all of a sudden we have a ton of confidence that we didn’t have before, but we can get a bunch more confidence then we’ve had in the past if we can take care of this week and then next week and get on a good roll,” quarterback Carson Palmer said.

“Winning cures all and makes everything better, especially after a two-game skid.”

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