Cornerback was already a position of concern with the Cardinals given that top cover man Patrick Peterson has to serve a six-game suspension to begin the regular season.
But the news got worse this week, after coach Kliff Kingsbury said fellow starter Robert Alford suffered a lower leg injury at practice Tuesday and will miss “an extended amount of time.”
Asked if that meant a significant chunk of the regular season, Kingsbury said “I expect that to be the case.”
Alford, who signed with the team in February after being released by Atlanta, had been solid in camp and while his natural role was to be a No. 2 to Peterson, he had looked sharp in his inevitable role as No. 1 while Peterson sat out.
Now the Cardinals are without both starting cornerbacks. Tramaine Brock was the likely man to team with Alford in place of Peterson. Kingsbury said between Brock, rookie Byron Murphy and Chris Jones, “we’ll see where we’re at.”
Given that the Cardinals will probably want to use three cornerbacks in nickel situations – unless safety Budda Baker were to drop in there and the Cards find another safety to use with D.J. Swearinger – Brock, Murphy and Jones may all play regardless.
“It’s an ongoing discussion,” Kingsbury said.
ANDY ISABELLA MAKES A SPLASH IN HIS FIRST GAME
Rookie wide receiver Andy Isabella didn’t get into the game offensively until late in the third quarter, in his first NFL action after missing last week with a knee injury. Playing with quarterback Charles Kanoff, Isabella was actually targeted four times in his short amount of time.
The second-round pick nearly came down with a contested catch about 20 yards downfield. Isabella later hauled in a 59-yard bomb with Raiders cornerback Joshua Holsey on his hip and finished off the touchdown.
“It was fun,” Isabella said. “We had a couple of missed opportunities at first that was a little frustrating. Me and (Kanoff) starting hooking up, and we’ll watch the film and hopefully have a better game in Minnesota.”
Isabella said he’s never really missed much time for injury in his young football career. But he said he thought he did a good job quickly getting back into shape, and he has two preseason games left to push for more significant playing time.
“He’s a guy who missed some extended time in camp and we thought he was really coming on,” Kingsbury said. “He’s getting back in that rhythm. It was fun to see him make that play tonight.”
JOSHUA MILES GETS WORK AT LEFT TACKLE
With the Cardinals trying to figure out their backup tackle situation, they made a switch with the second unit Thursday. While Korey Cunningham remained the second-string right tackle, rookie seventh-round pick Joshua Miles played left tackle instead of Rees Odhiambo.
Miles generally looked solid in his time in the game, as backup quarterback Brett Hundley led the second unit to points after the Cards had fallen behind, 26-0.
“We like his athleticism,” Kingsbury said of Miles. “He’s a conscientious young man, works hard, and has gotten better through the spring. I think (offensive line) coach (Sean) Kugler has done a nice job with his technique and fundamentals. He’s come on.”
CLAY SITS OUT
Tight end Charles Clay, who just came off the physically-unable-to-perform list this week but was mostly limited in practice, did not dress against the Raiders. Wide receiver Kevin White (hamstring) and safety Josh Shaw (shoulder) were also among those who did not dress.
Images from Thursday night's preseason game at State Farm Stadium
RB David Johnson
S D.J. Swearinger pumps up the team before the game
CB Patrick Peterson
WR Larry Fitzgerald before the game.
QB Kyler Murray in the pocket.
QB Kyler Murray goes over plays with the wide receiver group
CB Patrick Peterson
QB Kyler Murray throws a pass.
QB Kyler Murray on the run.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury
RB David Johnson heading to the game.
QB Kyler Murray heads to the game.
QB Kyler Murray warms up.
S D.J. Swearinger
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) blocks against Oakland Raiders free safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles as Oakland Raiders defensive back Johnathan Abram (24) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) makes a call against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury makes a call against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the first half of an an NFL football game as Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) pursues, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) runs as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders defensive back Johnathan Abram (24) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is helped up by offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (76) after being sacked for a safety against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden makes a call against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Rudy Ford defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled in the end zone for a safety by by Oakland Raiders free safety Lamarcus Joyner, left, as defensive end Arden Key (99) pursues during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Nate Brooks (41) during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) celebrates his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) pursues during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) pulls in a touchdown catch as Oakland Raiders cornerback Nick Nelson (23) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) watches from the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (9) signals first down as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jalen Thompson (38) looks on during the second half of an an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) pursues during the first half of an an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hands the football to wide receiver Andy Isabella (89) after Isabella scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brett Hundley (7) runs as Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) pursues during the first half of an an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws during the first half of an an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson pulls in a pass as Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (89) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Chad Williams (10) during the second half of an an NFL preseason football game Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
