News And Events

Not that an announcer is going to change anything, but if Patrick Peterson can get at least close to playing in Sunday’s season finale after hurting his left Achilles tendon in Cincinnati, he’ll know that Fox’s play-by-play man is Sam Rosen.

Rosen was the TV play-by-play man for the Cards in four previous games this season – and in all four, Peterson coincidentally returned a punt for a touchdown.

The rookie cornerback didn’t practice Wednesday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said there were “positive things” going on with Peterson and the hope is to progress him in practice during the week. Thursday figures to be an important day in that regard.

Peterson said nothing was serious and “I’m going to continue to rehab and we’ll see what the upcoming days bring.

“I definitely have to be smart about the situation,” he added.

Peterson’s health is the most important thing. He expects to be OK by the Pro Bowl at the end of January, but playing against the Seahawks would mean one final chance at breaking the tie for punt return touchdowns in a season. He is also 20 yards short of Louis Lipps’ NFL rookie record of 656 punt return yards in a season.

CAMPBELL DEALS WITHOUT PRO BOWL

His statistics are stellar this season – 72 tackles, a team-leading eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery, 11 passes defensed and three field-goal blocks – but Calais Campbell didn’t even make Pro Bowl alternate status thanks to the wealth of good NFC defensive ends.

“I wish I could have made it,” Campbell said. “I feel like it something everyone wants but I really wanted to be there. It’s tough because the guys who made it, they are very deserving too. It just gives me motivation for next year.”

Campbell has heard about the idea a player makes it the year after he should have made it the first time, just to grab everyone’s attention. “I feel like everyone is telling me that now,” he said. “I guess I have a lot to look forward to next year.”

As for his contract situation – Campbell is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March – he said he didn’t know how close a deal was to getting done.

“We are working on it,” Campbell said. “I love it here so  hopefully we can work something out.”

KEITH, RHODES SIT

Along with Peterson, tackle Brandon Keith and safety Kerry Rhodes both sat out Wednesday with ankle injuries. Whisenhunt said Rhodes, who returned to play on the bad ankle against the Bengals, could return to practice Thursday.

Five players were limited: Quarterback Kevin Kolb (concussion), running backs Beanie Wells (knee) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring), safety Sean Considine (foot) and safety Rashad Johnson (knee). Cornerback Michael Adams (shoulder) practiced full.

CARDS PROMOTE TACKLE

The Cardinals promoted tackle D.J. Young from the practice squad Wednesday, releasing wide receiver Jaymar Johnson and re-signing Johnson to the practice squad. The Eagles tried to sign Young to a contract, and the Cards responded with an offer of their own. It allows the Cards to protect Young as an asset heading into an offseason in which Keith will be a free agent and fellow starting tackle Levi Brown could be, given his lofty salary cap number next season.