For the first time in a couple of weeks, John Brown worked in 11-on-11 situations in practice Tuesday. He didn't run every rep he normally would, because he is, by his own admission after practice, not healed from his quad injury. It was a sullen Smoke who talked about his situation. He clearly knows his absence is felt, and he realizes many want him back on the field. But the wideout made it plain he wasn't going to rush the process.

"I understand the situation at receiver but I'm just going to come back when I'm ready," Brown said.

Brown knows his injury history. He's also key to this offense. If he can get healthy in another week or two, that's probably good enough. He needs to be healthy when the games count.

"I can't rush it," Brown added. "My body is different than others. They expect me to come back fast, but I can't."

All the receivers heard Bruce Arians' message from the day before. Larry Fitzgerald was supposed to have a rest day Tuesday. He was out there practicing. On one touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Hubert -- who didn't catch the ball as much as he was forced to catch the ball, barely turning around before a Trevor Knight laser lodged in his stomach -- Fitzgerald bellowed "We've got 12 who can play! We've got 12 who can play in the league!"

-- It wasn't a perfect day for on-notice receivers. Rookie Chad Williams got two yards behind a defender and QB Blaine Gabbert dropped in a gorgeous 39-yard bomb perfectly, only to have the ball go through Williams' arms. But the dropsies went both ways. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, safety Harlan Miller and linebacker Cap Capi all dropped sure interceptions. Capi would easily have had a pick-6 on a throw to the flat.

-- Robert Nkemdiche was getting reps in one-on-ones against offensive linemen every time through a unit -- first-string, second-string, third-string. The last time through he exploded into and through the chest of rookie guard Dorian Johnson. Clearly, Nkemdiche still needs to work on proper technique. But if he doesn't get it, it won't be for lack of coaching.

-- DT Frostee Rucker was also supposed to have an off day but like Fitz, he practiced. Carson Palmer, Chris Johnson and Karlos Dansby sat. G Mike Iupati stopped taking reps midway through practice -- not sure if it was injury-related, but Cole Toner worked with the first unit -- and linebacker Josh Bynes also left practice early. Linebacker Markus Golden (ankle) missed a second straight practice.

-- Finally, if there was any question about how hard it is to cover running back David Johnson on pass plays, it was painfully evident. Linebackers have no chance -- Johnson twisted up Haason Reddick, Chandler Jones and Scooby Wright at different times. It's not fair, really.