The Arizona Cardinals will play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Week 16. They have a lengthy injury report and it appears a few key players will be unable to play.
Linebacker Mack Wilson suffered a concussion last week and has not yet practiced this week as of Monday morning. Left tackle Paris Johnson reportedly could miss multiple weeks with a strained MCL.
Rookie running back Trey Benson has an ankle injury and has not practiced. Head coach Jonathan Gannon ruled him out on Friday before practice. Running back Emari Demercado is on injured reserve. So is punter Blake Gillikin.
So the Cardinals will have role players needing to step up in big roles.
Michael Palardy is the new punter and already has a game under his belt. DeeJay Dallas replaced Demercado as the third-down back.
They will have those roles again.
But other backups will be thrust into important roles.
Kelvin Beachum will likely start at left tackle for Johnson. He started nine games at right tackle while Jonah Williams was on injured reserve.
Krys Barnes will play for Wilson at linebacker.
Assuming Benson will miss the game on Sunday, we should expect to see Michael Carter elevated from the practice squad and playing the No. 2 back role behind James Conner, as he did late last season.
With how bad the Panthers are against the run (No. 32 in yards allowed and yards allowed per attempt), Carter could have a productive game.
The Cardinals have basically a must-win game this week. It will be critical for these regularly role players or bench players to step up and be solid in their roles. “Next man up” is a reality this week for Arizona.
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