The Cardinals are hurting at wide receiver, but they are turning to an familiar face to help.
With the Cardinals placing wide receiver Greg Dortch on Injured Reserve on Saturday with a chest issue, Trent Sherfield Sr. was elevated from the practice squad, setting him up to play for the Cardinals for the first time since leaving as a free agent following the 2020 season.
"Coming here was a blessing in a lot of different ways," said Sherfield, who was released by the Broncos in mid-November. "I needed to be here."
Dortch's spot on IR likely ends his season, although he could in theory return for the final game of the season. Dortch had been sixth among return men in the first Pro Bowl vote tally last week. On the season, Dortch had 29 receptions fro 206 yards and three touchdowns, and also had a rushing touchdown. He was also averaging a career-best 11.6 yards per punt return and 26.2 yards per kickoff return.
The Cardinals are also without Marvin Harrison Jr., who is out with a heel injury. Zay Jones has already been on IR with an Achilles injury. Michael WIlson will be the top wide receiver Sunday against the Rams -- and the Cardinals still have top tight end Trey McBride -- but Sherfield will have to play a role.
Andre Baccellia is available, but Xavier Weaver will likely be out with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Jalen Brooks was also elevated from the practice squad.
The Cardinals replaced Dortch on the 53-man roster with linebacker Channing Tindall.
The Cardinals also added starting left guard Evan Brown to the injury report on Saturday for personal reasons and Brown is now questionable for Sunday's game.
Wilson's two games as WR1 produced 25 catches and 303 yards, although he had just three receptions last week when Harrison returned to play after appendicitis.
"We are a better football team with (Marvin) out there," Wilson said. "Maybe I might get a few more targets, but I'm treating this game like it was Week 1."
Sherfield's best season with the Cardinals was his rookie season in 2018, when he had 19 catches for 210 yards and one touchdown. He had 30 receptions for 417 yards in Miami in 2022 for his best season, He nearly re-signed with the Cardinals in 2023 when Jonathan Gannon first arrived as coach but ultimately signed with the Bills. Two years later, he made it back to Arizona.
"It'll be surreal to be back out there," Sherfield said.
ROOF TO BE OPEN
The State Farm Stadium roof will be open for Sunday's game between the Cardinals and Rams, the second time the roof will be opened this season. It was also open for the game against the 49ers. The temperature is forecasted to be about 70 degrees at kickoff.
