Revenge of the Birds
Here are the Cardinals’ candidates this week for “next man up”
Per Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon:
Paris Johnson Jr. (80.8) suffered a left knee injury on this play last week:
The Patriots’ edge to PJJ’s side tried to sprint down the line to get to James Conner and clipped PJJ in the knee. It is unknown at this time whether PJJ suffered a contusion, deep bone bruise or a ligament sprain on the play. He has not practiced all week.
Mack Wilson Sr. (59.8) suffered a concussion early in last week’s game and has been in protocol ever since.
Note: Kyzir White (50.8) missed practice yesterday due to an illness. Sounds like the team expects him to be able to start this week. If not, Pappoe and Barnes would start and Baron Browning could serve as a backup.
Jesse Luketa (70.0) is nursing a thigh injury. He has been used primarily as an edge setter versus the run, both in the 34 base and in the goal-line defense.
Trey Benson has an ankle injury, and it is unknown whether it is a high ankle or lower ankle sprain.
Commentary:
Obviously, not having Paris Johnson Jr, is a concern. Kelvin Beachum was a rock-solid starter at RT this year while Jonah Williams was out, and now he is going to need to make the transition to LT, where, for the last couple of games last year, he filled in admirably for D.J. Humphries. Beach is going to have his hands full with Jadeveon Clowney (69.8) who is having a good season, posting 44 combined tackles, 31 QB pressures and 4 sacks through 14 games.
The other key matchup the Cardinals need to focus on is in trying to limit RB Chuba Hubbard’s (71.2) production in the running (1,043 yards, 4.6 ypc, 8 TDs) and passing (158 yards, 4.1, 1 TD) games. In order to that the Cardinals will need strong games from their linebackers in the middle (White, Pappoe, Barnes) and on the edge (Collins, Browning, Dimukeje, Okwara. Thomas).
On the flip side, the Cardinals are going to need to run the ball effectively with James Conner, DeeJay Dallas and perhaps Michael Carter versus the league’s #32 defense vs. the run (173 ypg). The Panther’s strength on defense is in the passing game (211.0 ypg) where they are #11 in the NFL. Overall, their defense ranks #31 in total defense, and they have given up the highest number of points per game at 29.9.
The Panthers and QB Bryce Young had been playing well in a string of close games until last week when the Cowboys...
