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Waiting To See On Deone Bucannon Injury

Notes: Money LB's injury may not be severe; D.J. Foster's role will increase

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Cardinals money linebacker Deone Bucannon walks off the field Sunday after injuring his leg.

The leg injury suffered by Deone Bucannon on Sunday may not be as severe as originally feared, but there is no concrete diagnosis yet, coach Bruce Arians said.

The money linebacker went down in the first quarter of the 27-24 win over the Jaguars. Arians said the Cardinals are sending the injury images to the surgeon who operated on Bucannon's ankle this offseason for further study. Bucannon missed the first three games of the season while recovering from that procedure.

"All of the injury is to that part of the leg," Arians said. "It could be a day or two or it could be serious. We don't know yet."

Veteran Josh Bynes stepped in against Jacksonville like he did earlier in the season and once again played well. He led the team with eight tackles and forced a fumble.

"He'll get a game ball," Arians said. "He played lights-out. Especially in that sub-package, which he hasn't played. He'd gotten mental reps, and he had no mental errors and just had unbelievable stats. He led the team. Truly a true next-man-up mentality and he was more than ready to play. He played as a starter, played at a very high level."

Haason Reddick began the season at inside linebacker in Bucannon's absence, before moving outside when Bucannon returned and Markus Golden got hurt. Arians said the Cardinals are still deciding if Reddick will move back to inside linebacker if Bucannon misses time.

"Those are things we'll talk about because Josh played so well," Arians said. "We've got packages with him back there anyway."

BIGGER ROLE LOOMS FOR D.J. FOSTER

Arians was impressed by the late sideline catch by running back D.J. Foster, which helped set up Phil Dawson's game-winning field goal. He was also happy with the young running back's willingness to pass block, which is a prerequisite in third-down duties.

"He took a blitz pickup up the middle," Arians said. "He stuck his face in there and did a heck of a job."

Foster was inactive for more than two months after getting signed off the Patriots' practice squad but is earning more playing time. The path is clear after the Cardinals released running back Andre Ellington last week.

"His role is just going to continue to increase," Arians said.

Foster could see more work on early downs if Adrian Peterson needs a breather because running back Kerwynn Williams may miss some action with cracked ribs.

"It's just going to be how much (Williams) can play with pain," Arians said. "That's pretty hard to do as a running back. I would anticipate he might miss some time."

Williams is also the team's punt returner. If he is out, cornerback Patrick Peterson and wide receiver J.J. Nelson will be among the options to fill in.

MAURO, NKEMDICHE SPRAIN ANKLES

Defensive lineman Josh Mauro returned to the field quicker than anticipated on Sunday but re-sprained his ankle and could miss some time, Arians said. Defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche also sprained his ankle, but Arians said it is expected to be minor.

Arians thought Nkemdiche played "one of his better games" against Jacksonville.

PRACTICE SQUAD MOVE

The Cardinals signed linebacker Kevin Snyder to their practice squad. The Rutgers product played in two games this season for the Broncos. Linebacker Connor Harris was released to make room.

Some of the best images from the Cardinals' 27-24 win over Jacksonville



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