Palmer, Weatherford Are Questionable For Cardinals - Giants Sunday Contest
By Curt Macysyn
The New York Football Giants limp into their home opener against the Arizona Cardinals with bruised egos after a 35-14 thrashing at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The Giants came out of that contest only slightly worse for wear, with punter Steve Weatherford being the most serious injury.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have a couple key members of their offensive unit show up on the injury report this week (Carson Palmer, Andre Ellington), as well as defensive leader John Abraham leave the team to evaluate his career after reportedly suffering another concussion against the San Diego Chargers.
NEW YORK GIANTS
The worst injury the G-men sustained on Monday was punter Steve Weatherford, who was diagnosed with torn ligaments in his ankle after being rolled up on. It seems that the affable Giants' punter will trying to givie it a go on Sunday, as he was called questionable for the game. Before you sneer at Weatherford being on this injury report, keep in mind that the Giants need every advantage that they can get, and he is certainly helpful in the field position game.
Reserves Markus Kuhn (DT), James Brewer (OT) and Devon Kennard (LB) have been ruled out for Sunday. Ditto for rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who did indicate that he is "50/50" for next Sunday. Side with the 50 percent that has Beckham sitting out next Sunday as well.
Also, at this point is there a reason behind keeping James Brewer on the 53-man roster?
Middle linebacker Jon Beason showed up on the injury report after being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Beason did not practice at all on Thursday, and he was limited again on Friday. He does show up as probable on the injury report, but the situation bears watching. Jameel McClain will be called upon if Beason cannot go or is limited.
Jason Pierre-Paul sat out Friday's practice after being a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday. Pierre-Paul left the Detroit game after injuring his neck, but did later return. Another member of the defensive line, Cullen Jenkins, is nursing a sore hip, but should be able to play against Arizona. Damontre Moore and Robert Ayers, Jr. will get more playing time if JPP's work load is reduced.
Oh and Charles Brown (yawn) is probable with a shoulder injury originally sustained in the preseason.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
The biggest news on the injury front for the Arizona Cardinals is that pass rushing specialist John Abraham apparently sustained a concussion in the game against the San Diego Chargers on Monday. Abraham is currently not with the team. Linebacker Alex Okafor has not practiced this week because of a thigh injury. And defensive tackle Frostee Rucker has been unable to practice with a calf injury.
Rucker and Okafor have been ruled out of the game against the G-men, and it would be shocking to see Abraham play as well, but he is not officially listed on the injury report.
On the positive side, safety Tyrann Mathieu (knee) has been a full practice participant this week and may play on Sunday; more than nine months after tearing his ACL and LCL, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.
Offensively, quarterback Carson Palmer has a sore right shoulder, but there is no indication of how serious that injury might be. Palmer could be taking time off to reduce swelling, or there could be some structural problem. He has been listed as questionable for the Giants' game on the official Cardinals' injury report, so there is more than just soreness involved.
Starting running back Andre Ellington continues to nurse a foot injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Ellington rushed 13 times for 53 yards against the San Diego Chargers. Stepfan Taylor, a second-year man out of Stanford, will see more action if Ellington cannot play. Taylor caught a touchdown pass on Monday night.
Looks like the Cards' punting situation is unsettled as well, Dave Zastudil has a left groin injury and is listed as questionable for the game.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Probable:
LB Jon Beason (Foot)
DT Cullen Jenkins (Hip)
OT Charles Brown (Shoulder)
DE Jason Pierre-Paul (Neck)
Questionable:
P Steve Weatherford (Ankle)
Doubtful:
None
Out:
WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (Hamstring)
DT Markus Kuhn (Ankle)
OT James Brewer (Back)
Arizona Cardinals
Probable:
S Rashad Johnson (Ankle)
G Paul Fanaika (Knee)
S Tyrann Mathieu (Knee)
RB Andre Ellington (Foot)
Questionable:
QB Carson Palmer (Right Shoulder)
P Dave Zastudil (Groin)
Doubtful:
None
Out:
DE/LB John Abraham (Concussion)
DT Frostee Rucker (Calf)
LB Alex Okafor (Thigh)
For more Giants news and updates, visit Giants Central.
Curt Macysyn has been covering the New York Football Giants for the past two seasons for Examiner.com. Born and raised in northern New Jersey, Curt has followed and covered the New York Metropolitan sports scene for 35 years. He attended Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, NJ and is a graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. His work can be found on aExaminer.com.
