A lot can change in a week.
Even more can change in a day.
Last Monday, heading into the Week 14 matchup against the Rams, linebacker Owen Pappoe was told his role was set to expand. For the first time all year, the third-year inside linebacker was going to play defense.
For offensive guard Jon Gaines II, he was put into the starting lineup only after left guard Evan Brown was declared out for personal reasons on Sunday morning.
"As a backup in the NFL, you always have to be ready at any point in time," Gaines said. "I've been trying to prepare myself for that moment for as long as I've been a football player. Like we talked about back in training camp, I always pride myself on being able to do a lot of things and be available wherever I'm needed."
Gaines saw a total of 58 snaps prior to Sunday's game. He had been utilized in jumbo formation packages, occasionally subbing in to play fullback. He played every snap of 62 against the Rams.
Throughout the season, Pappoe had been entirely been used in a special teams role, a stalwart member of a unit which had been playing musical chairs due to injuries. In his first game playing defense, Pappoe finished as the Cardinals leading tackler with nine.
"Your film is your résumé. Make sure your tape is hot," Pappoe said. "It's all about staring in your role and doing the most you can with whatever your role is on the team to try to contribute to wins."
Coach Jonathan Gannon said Pappoe "earned the right to play." When asked about if the decision was more so centered around Pappoe's development versus Akeem Davis-Gaither, who had started nine games this season, Gannon said "we thought that was the right way to play (against the Rams)."
With four games left on the schedule, games like Sunday provide an opportunity for younger players to earn snaps and give the coaching staff more game tape to evaluate. Players like Gaines and Pappoe are among the 2023 draft picks that will be entering the final year of their contract next season.
Injuries have also sped up the process for rookies Denzel Burke, Cody Simon, Will Johnson, and Kitan Crawford to play extended snaps. Sunday marked Crawford's first start and a season-best 29 snaps.
"At some point, you're in it, so you better get them ready to go and be ready to step into the role that they need," Gannon said. "That's kind of life in the NFL. You've got to be able to do a couple of different things typically. But our guys love to go out and compete and play."
No matter the roster gymnastics one might prepare for, nobody could've expected just how banged up the team is heading into Week 15. Gannon did not have an injury update on left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee), and safety Jalen Thompson (safety). There was no new information on Monday about the health of running back Trey Benson (knee) or wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel).
Brown is expected to return to his role at left guard. It's unclear if Pappoe's involvement within the defense will change this weekend.
But at any given moment, there's an expectation that their number might get called.
"I try to approach every week like I will be playing at some point in time," Gaines said. "(It's a) you have to stay ready so you don't have to get ready type of situation."
