It's inevitable that in some way, the depth chart of the Cardinals' cornerbacks and the injuries suffered Sunday will be part of the conversation this week. But it also underscores the work some of the backups got on Sunday against the Panthers.
When Max Melton went out early in the game, that meant a lot more playing time for fifth-round rookie Denzel Burke, who had worked his way higher on the depth chart in camp above Kei'Trel Clark and Elijah Jones, only played special teams in his first NFL game at New Orleans. That jumped to 67 snaps against the Panthers (a total that will likely remain high for the foreseeable future.)
Clark didn't have to play as much defense, finishing with 15 snaps. Most -- 13 -- came on the Panthers' final drive. That was because on Carolina's last touchdown, not only did Garrett Williams hurt his knee, that was also the play where Will Johnson grabbed at his leg as the play unfolded. Coach Jonathan Gannon said after the game Johnson hurt his groin.
Clark's work will jump too going forward.
Johnson ended up with 62 snaps played, Williams 72.
The struggles of the defense to get off the field and the offense to generate much led to a ton of snaps. Safety Budda Baker played all 85 defensive snaps, as did linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. and safety Jalen Thompson.
One other snap count of note: Calais Campbell said he felt like he was in much better shape for Week 2, and he played 37 snaps -- including one huge final defensive play.
