Larry Fitzgerald doesn’t know yet what his future holds, or if there will be seasons for him beyond this, his 15th in the NFL.
But given that the quirks of the NFL schedule mean that the earliest the Cardinals could return to Minnesota to play a game would be the 2022 season, Sunday’s road trip to Minnesota will likely be the last time Fitzgerald will play in his home state.
Not that he’s thinking much about it.
“I’ll be able to play there for the rest of my life – I live up there in the summertime,” Fitzgerald said with a smile.
Fitzgerald insisted it’s just another game for him. It’s the sixth time he’s played in Minnesota, and his ninth game against the Vikings overall. In his career, Fitzgerald has 50 receptions for 673 yards and one touchdown – that coming in his first game against the Vikings in 2006.
The last four meetings with Minnesota, Fitzgerald has been held in check – combining for only 19 catches for 199 yards total. Fitzgerald also goes into this game needing to get on a roll. After making seven catches for 76 yards in the opener, Fitzgerald hasn’t had more than three receptions or 35 yards in any of the four games since. He has yet to score a touchdown this season.
That didn’t stop him from smiling Thursday as he reminisced about growing up in Minnesota.
“I’ve always been a Vikings fan,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t. I pull for them to win when I’m not playing against them. You grow up there, work for the team, get to know people in the organization, that’s just how it is.”
Fitzgerald said his most indelible memory of the years he spent as a ballboy for the Vikings was the 1998 NFC Championship game, in which the Falcons came to Minneapolis and upset the one-loss Vikings. Fitzgerald’s father had told Fitzgerald and his brother Marcus he would take them to the Super Bowl.
“That one still stings,” Fitz admitted.
Another one that stings? The infamous Josh McCown-to-Nate Poole fourth-down touchdown on the final play of the 2003 season finale, a score that allowed the Cardinals to beat the Vikings, knock Minnesota from the playoffs and push the Cardinals from the No. 1 overall pick to No. 3. The Cardinals selected Fitzgerald the following April.
“I was devastated that happened,” Fitzgerald said. “I wanted to see them get to the playoffs and they got eliminated, and that eliminated the Cardinals from being the No. 1 pick, which I was hoping (to be) too. It was an all-around hurtful weekend.”
REDDICK TO GET ANOTHER START
Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb said Haason Reddick will start again alongside Josh Bynes at linebacker, as the Cardinals work through that position.
In five games, Reddick, Deone Bucannon and Gerald Hodges all have taken turns starting next to Bynes and safety Budda Baker, who drops down in the box as the Cardinals use mostly nickel personnel.
“It’s not about who is screwing up or who is not screwing up,” Holcomb said. “We’re just trying to find the right mix of guys. Really, this is a production-based business and at the end of the day, that’s what we are looking for – production.”
IUPATI, SMITH STILL SITTING OUT
Most of the players who sat out Wednesday’s practice were back to work at least in limited form Thursday. The only Cardinals still sidelined were guard Mike Iupati (shoulder) and tackle Andre Smith (hamstring.)
Safety Tre Boston (shoulder), Fitzgerald (hamstring/back), tight end Jermaine Gresham (Achilles), tackle D.J. Humphries (knee), defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (foot), safety Budda Baker (shoulder), linebacker Josh Bynes (wrist), defensive tackle Corey Peters (elbow) and defensive end Markus Golden (knee) were all limited.
For the Vikings, tackle Riley Reiff (foot), safety Andrew Sendejo (groin), defensive end Everson Griffen (non-injury related) and defensive end Tashawn Bower (ankle) did not practice.
Images of past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer gives Minnesota Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham a hug after the NFC divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 41-21.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham scrambles out of the grasp of Arizona Cardinals' Andre Wadsworth, right, during the second quarter of action in the NFC divisional playoff game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999.
Minnesota Vikings running back Leroy Hoard falls across the goal line to score his third touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC divisional playoff game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 41-21 to advance to the NFC Championship game.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Matthew Hatchette (89) holds onto the pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper and stretches for a first down as Arizona Cardinals safety Kwamie Lassiter (42) and line backer Sekou Sanyika (54) come in for the tackle in the second quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000.
Minnesota Vikings' Randy Moss, left, pulls in a 53-yard pass over the outstreched arm of Arizona Cardinals' Tom Knight (22) during the first quarter of their preseason game Friday, August, 18, 2000 in Minneapolis. The play set up a six yard touchdown run by the Vikings Robert Smith.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown (12) scrambles against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals won, 18-17, with no time on the clock to knock the Vikings out of the playoffs.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Nate Poole (84) catches a touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, in Phoenix, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals players react to their game-winning touchdown with no time on the clock against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals won,18-17, to eliminate the Vikings from the playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Nick Rogers, back, pulls down Arizona Cardinals tight end Freddie Jones (85) after a short gain in the first quarter Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings corner back Antoine Winfield, right, attempts to push the ball out of the grasp of Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald (11) after Fitzgerald make the catch during the second quarter in a NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 in Minneapolis.
Arizona Cardinals' safety Adrian Wilson returns a fumble by Minnesota Vikings' Chester Taylor at the on1-yard line for a 99-yard touchdown in fourth quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 31-26.
Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson, right, runs for daylight against the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 35-14.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner, left, tries to elude Minnesota Vikings' Jared Allen (69) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. Warner was sacked on the play, and the Vikings defeated the Cardinals 35-14.
Minnesota Vikings' Tarvaris Jackson (7) runs away from Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 35-14.
Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson (28) looks for running room as Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell, moves in for the tackle in the second quarter during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 30-17.
Fans of the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals watch warm ups prior to an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) sprints for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson (25) falls down during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) meet at mid field after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-17.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) outruns Arizona Cardinals linebacker Paris Lenon (51) during the second quarter of the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals NFL football game in Minneapolis on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards (91) battles Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Brandon Keith (72) during the Vikings and Cardinals NFL football game in Minneapolis on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.
Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower (34) runs with Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson (3) behind and Cardinals fullback Reagan Maui'a (45) blocking during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Minneapolis. Kolb fumbled on the play and Minnesota recovered.
Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) in the first half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) holds up the football after a fumble recovery for the win against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
In this Dec. 10, 2015 photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is sacked by strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) and defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) catches a touchdown pass in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones, left, hits Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford as he tries to pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-24.
