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No Victory Monday, But Arians Seeks Victory Sunday

Notes: No structural damage for Peterson, Arians will stick with new offensive line

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Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, knee being iced, watches up at the scoreboard late in his team's loss to the Falcons Sunday.


The Cardinals will go into December without having held a Victory Monday.

They had been staples of the last few years, once the Cardinals compiled enough wins during a season. Coach Bruce Arians would give the players Monday off – many still came in to work out and/or watch video – in addition to their CBA-mandated day off on Tuesday.

With only four wins thus far, the season may end up completely Victory Monday-less. The playoff hope may be fading, but all Arians wants now is a Victory Sunday. He certainly isn't ready to turn the page to 2017.

"We just have to win one," Arians said Monday, reiterating a line he spoke after Sunday's loss in Atlanta. "I

don't look at big pictures until the whole season is over. To think we would try to lose games to get a better draft choice is absolutely asinine. I don't know who would ever do that."

In addition to the handful of plays that undercut the loss to the Falcons, Arians was also unhappy with the level of physical play with his team Sunday. On top of that, he felt defensively the Cardinals "had some guys get out of their lane again and try to do too much," he said, a problem that has bitten the Cardinals multiple times this season.

That was the message delivered Monday after the team watched video from Atlanta.

"We've been talking about it for four weeks and the veterans obviously haven't done anything about it," Arians said. "Maybe young guys will step up and make the opportunity they need."

Players were asked about Arians' thought that he was disappointed of the "selfishness instead of selflessness that has crept in."

"I would hesitate in calling someone selfish," defensive tackle Corey Peters said. "But we definitely have to do a better job playing team defense."

The Cardinals have their next-to-last home game Sunday against Washington, like the Falcons one of the best offensive teams in the league. They are also two games in front of the Cardinals in the standings.

"Too many mental errors at this point in the season and we have to fix it," safety Tony Jefferson said. "Everybody is ready to roll. We still have an opportunity … regardless of how the mathematics work out."

PETERSON, DAVID JOHNSON INJURY UPDATE

Arians said cornerback Patrick Peterson's left knee is sore, but there was no structural damage. Peterson got

hurt Sunday when he was hit by the cleat of Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during the interception of safety D.J. Swearinger.

Running back David Johnson also dislocated a finger, but Arians said he was OK.

Both players returned to the game Sunday after their injuries.

Arians had no injury updates beyond the two key players.

ARIANS TO STICK WITH OFFENSIVE LINE

Arians said he thought the new-look offensive line – D.J. Humphries at left tackle instead of right, Ulrick John at right tackle and John Wetzel moving to right guard, along with left guard Mike Iupati and center A.Q. Shipley – held up through three quarters before struggling in the fourth.

Humphries played "extremely well," Arians said. Asked if there has been any thought of Humphries staying at left tackle long-term, Arians said "we'll see how that goes."

As for Wetzel and John on the right side, "That's probably the first time John has played a (full) game since Georgia State – I thought they got tired. I thought Ulrick got tired and John Wetzel got tired and it showed up out there, so we have to do something about that."

BRYANT RELEASED, BRANCH RETURN IMMINENT

The Cardinals released safety Christian Bryant Monday, meaning they have an opening on the 53-man roster. The spot will likely go to safety Tyvon Branch, officially on injured reserve but who returned to practice last week and must be moved to the 53-man roster in order to play.

Branch is eligible to play Sunday against Washington, assuming he is put on the active roster.

Some of the best images from the Week 12 game in Atlanta



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