The Cardinals knew they wouldn't have J.J. Watt Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon, they knew they would be down to their third-string center.
With Rodney Hudson already on injured reserve, Max Garcia is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Packers, meaning Sean Harlow -- who played a few snaps at center at the end of last week's game but who is primarily a guard -- will start in the middle
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) is active for the game, as anticipated. Hopkins tested the hamstring early in warmups.
Earlier in the day, the Cardinals promoted offensive lineman Zack Johnson to the active roster from the practice squad, a nod toward the Garcia injury, and also made offensive lineman Danny Isidora a standard practice-squad call-up. Bringing up both foreshadowed Garcia's unavailability.
Coach Kliff Kingsbury did say earlier this week the hope is that Hudson will be able to return from IR next week in time for the next game against the 49ers.
With defensive lineman Corey Peters still on the Covid list, linebacker Joe Walker was brought up from the practice squad as a Covid replacement. The Cards also made defensive lineman Josh Mauro a standard PS elevation.
The Cardinals' full inactive list:
- QB Chris Streveler
- WR Andy Isabella
- RB Eno Benjamin
- C Max Garcia (Achilles)
- DL Rashard Lawrence (calf)
- DL J.J. Watt (shoulder)
Meanwhile, if Maxx Williams is going to produce such awesome content for game days while he is sidelined, those embeds are going get a permanent place in this weekly article.
