Bears running back Tarik Cohen reeled off several big gains against the Cardinals' starting defense on Saturday night.
Bruce Arians doesn't like to make snap judgments about what goes on near the line of scrimmage right after a game.
The Cardinals' coach has a poor view into that muddled mess from the sidelines, and will often defer until he sees the tape.
So it was a bad thing when he had a strong postgame reaction to the first unit's run defense in Saturday night's 24-23 preseason loss to the Bears. Chicago running back Tarik Cohen regularly popped to the second level, finishing with 11 carries for 77 yards, including gains of 9, 16, 16, and 25 yards.
"Hell, yeah," Arians said when asked if he was concerned about Cohen's success. "You don't want to see anyone run 10-, 15-yard runs against any of our defenses, especially against our number ones."
The Cardinals have been consistently strong against the run in Bruce Arians' four seasons, finishing in the top-three in yards per attempt allowed in both 2013 and 2016.
However, there is some worry after the departure of defensive tackle Calais Campbell and linebacker Kevin Minter, two of the team's best run defenders a season ago, and Saturday's performance won't assuage those fears. Nose tackle Corey Peters was frustrated with the results, but believes it is just a blip, not a sign of things to come.
"We've been working hard throughout camp, which has been three or four weeks at this point, and I think we've been consistently doing well," Peters said. "I'm anxious to get to the film and kind of pinpoint where we struggled. I'm sure we'll get it fixed. This is a strong group and everybody's honest. We'll take a good look at ourselves and refocus and come back at it."
Some of the issues can be attributed to the youth at inside linebacker during the game. Scooby Wright and Haason Reddick started with veterans Karlos Dansby (leg) and Deone Bucannon (ankle) still on the shelf with injuries.
"When 'Los gets back there everything will be good," outside linebacker Markus Golden said. "We'll be set up right and be able to fly around together. We'll be all right, but no excuses. We need to do better."
Golden said there were a few instances when the defensive linemen weren't aligned correctly, which made it easier for Cohen to find running lanes. However, there were also times when the Cardinals simply missed the tackles.
"We let (the starters) play a little longer than I wanted to just because we weren't tackling well enough," Arians said. "Those inside 'backers struggled setting the front a few times and miscommunication with the two guys that were in there. But still, no excuse for not tackling."
Peters said next week's opponent, the Falcons, have a similar running game and will present another challenge. That will be the final game of preseason action for the starters, and the defense would like to iron out these issues before the regular season begins.
It will also help to get Dansby and Bucannon back. Dansby has dealt with a leg issue for several weeks but the concern level is still low. Bucannon is hoping to return from offseason ankle surgery by the regular season opener against the Lions on Sept. 10.
"I hope to hell they get healthy," Arians said. "I'll be concerned if we're playing with that group that we had (Saturday night)."
Images from the Cardinals' third preseason game on Saturday night

TE Jeremaine Gresham catches a touchdown pass

QB Carson Palmer

Bears RB Benny Cunningham on a kick return

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

RT Jared Veldheer blocks Bears LB Leonard Floyd

Cardinals cheerleaders perform

DT Robert Nkemdiche wraps up Bears RB Ka'Deem Carey

CB Patrick Peterson goes for a tackle on Bears RB Tarik Cohen

Bears K Connor Barth celebrates his early made field goal

RB David Johnson before the game

Coach Bruce Arians (left) and Bears coach John Fox

QB Carson Palmer in warmups

Fans in the stands

Fans in the stands

LB Haason Reddick before the game

S Tyrann Mathieu's individualized pregame cleats

QB Carson Palmer

RB Andre Ellington makes the grab

Head coach Bruce Arians

RB Chris Johnson dives forward

QB Carson Palmer gets rid of the ball before contact

LB Scooby Wright III makes the tackle

S Tyrann Mathieu picks off the pass intended for Bears WR Cameron Meredith

QB Carson Palmer throws the ball

RB Chris Johnson runs through the Bears defender

WR Chris Hubert cradles the catch

TE Jermaine Gresham celebrates his touchdown reception from Carson Palmer

RB Chris Johnson on the run

K Phil Dawson attempts a 63-yard field goal

QB Drew Stanton

T D.J. Humphries protects the pocket

DT Robert Nkemdiche and the defense prepare for the snap

QB Drew Stanton tries to escape the Bears defense

S Tyrann Mathieu

WR Jeremy Ross with the reception

RB Kerwynn Williams on the carry

QB Blaine Gabbert strides into the endzone

P Matt Wile tries to catch Bears WR Deonte Thompson

Head coach Bruce Arians

CB Tramon Williams makes the tackle

TE Troy Niklas tries to catch Deonte Thompson

QB Blaine Gabbert celebrates his touchdown

S Tyrann Mathieu fires up the crowd

S Budda Baker chases down Bears WR Kendall Wright

LB Zaviar Gooden holds on