Arizona Cardinals rule out star player vs. Green Bay Packers

The Arizona Cardinals have ruled out star pass rusher J.J. Watt vs. the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night according to NFL Insider Ian Rappaport.

This is a significant update from Tuesday’s report from Pro Football Talk that originally stated both Watt and DeAndre Hopkins were held out of practice.

“There’s been no word of concern out of Arizona that either player is at risk of sitting out against the Packers on Thursday night,” the Pro Football Talk report stated.

Center Max Garcia (Achilles) and defensive tackle Rashad Lawrence (calf) were also out of practice. Linebacker Jordan Hicks (toe) went from being listed as out on Monday to limited work on Tuesday.

Hicks’ status was the lone change from Monday as quarterback Kyler Murray (right finger) remained a full participant and four others — tight end Darrell Daniels (hamstring), linebacker Devon Kennard (shoulder), linebacker Isaiah Simmons (shoulder), and linebacker Tanner Vallejo (hand, wrist) — remained limited.

Aaron Rodgers and the 6-1 Green Bay Packers will have their biggest test to-date on Thursday, as the Packers will face off against the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL’s only remaining undefeated teams.

While the Packers are coming off two consecutive, worry-free victories over the Chicago Bears and Washington Football Team, placing them firmly in first place in the AFC North, the Cardinals have looked like the team to beat in the NFC. Last week, Arizona picked up an easy 31-5 win over the Houston Texans, despite it being head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s first game back from a COVID-19 absence.

Ahead of the Thursday night tilt, the Packers and Cardinals released injury reports, listed below. Among the notables are J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, who did not practice Tuesday.

Packers and Cardinals injury list

Did Not Practice — Packers: OT Dennis Kelly (back)

Dennis Kelly was the only member of the Green Bay Packers that did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. He has not appeared since the Packers’ Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the former fifth-round draft pick has been held out with a back injury.

Did Not Practice — Cardinals: OL Max Garcia (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), DL Rashard Lawrence (calf), DL J.J. Watt (shoulder)

It goes without saying, but the Arizona Cardinals were missing far more impact players in Tuesday’s practice than the Packers. Two of the Cardinals biggest stars, J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, both missed practice after helping Arizona beat the Houston Texans, their former team. As it stands, however, there does not seem to be any sign of concerns regarding their availability for Thursday.

Limited Participants — Packers: DL Kenny Clark (ankle), CB Kevin King (shoulder/back), DL Dean Lowry (ankle), LB Preston Smith (oblique)

Both cornerback Kevin King and linebacker Preston Smith were held out of Sunday’s win over the Washington Football Team with a shoulder/back and oblique injury, respectively. Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry, on the other hand, logged 60 and 42 snaps, respectively, in the win over Washington, so their statuses may be more optimistic than the former.

Limited Participants — Cardinals: TE Darrell Daniels (hamstring), LB Jordan Hicks (toe), LB Devon Kennard (shoulder), LB Isaiah Simmons (shoulder), LB Tanner Vallejo (hand/wrist)

Arizona can live without Darrel Daniels if he’s unable to play on Thursday, as the Cardinals recently acquired former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz in a trade. However, four linebackers on the injury report isn’t a good sign. It’s worth noting that Jordan Hicks’ status has since been upgraded, after not practicing at all on Monday, so his limited participation could be a good sign for Thursday.

Full Participants — Packers: LS Hunter Bradley (hand), TE Josiah Deguara (finger), CB Rasul Douglas (shoulder)

All three players are expected to play on Thursday after being listed as full participants in Tuesday’s practice, and all three players appeared in last week’s win over the Washington Football Team. However, Douglas has been frequent on the injury report, and last week was just his second game of the season.

Full Participants — Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray (right finger)

Kyler Murray said it himself that he feels good despite suffering a finger injury on his throwing hand. Rest assured, the MVP hopeful will be more than ready to start under center on Thursday.