MINNEAPOLIS – Patrick Peterson became the latest Cardinals player subject to a trade rumor on Sunday, but coach Steve Wilks has no plans to deal the Pro Bowl cornerback.
When asked about the report following the team's 27-17 loss to the Vikings, Wilks said "I don't respond to things that are ludicrous."
Peterson said he didn't learn about the speculation until after the contest.
"I was getting ready for a football game," Peterson said. "This is my first time hearing about it. That's something that's out of my control. I want to continue doing what I have to do to help this team win ballgames. That's what I can control, and that's what I want to do each and every week."
Peterson embraced General Manager Steve Keim before the game but he said it held no special significance.
"That's every week," Peterson said. "We have a little, I won't call it a ritual, but pretty much every game I go up to Steve and give him a big hug and just tell him that we're definitely going out here to try to get a 'W' today."
THREE GUARDS INJURED
The Cardinals were down to their fourth- and fifth-string guards by the end of the game. Mike Iupati went out in the first half with a back injury and didn't return. Fellow starter Justin Pugh injured his hand in the fourth quarter and also didn't return.
Jeremy Vujnovich, who replaced Iupati in the lineup, injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter and left the game. The Cardinals finished with Daniel Munyer at right guard and John Wetzel – who naturally plays tackle – as the left guard.
"You get to a point where you hope you don't get another injury," Wilks said.
THIRD QUARTER WOES
The Cardinals only trailed by a field goal at the half, but the Vikings outscored them 14-0 in the third quarter. The team has regularly struggled coming out of intermission, as it does not have a point in the third quarter this season.
"That needs to change," Wilks said. "We need to do a much better job coming out of the locker room and really trying to get in the end zone."
Quarterback Josh Rosen would like to see some more consistency from the offense after halftime.
"We're just not staying ahead of the sticks," Rosen said. "We have a habit of three-and-outs. We either put together really awesome, long drives or get off the field pretty quickly. I think we've just got to learn to get over that first first down, get over that hump."
