For the moment, the Cardinals are hurting at outside linebacker, now that two of their top three options are out because of Covid.
After Markus Golden went on the Covid list Monday, teammate Devon Kennard landed there on Wednesday according to the NFL's transactions report, the third straight day the Cardinals have put a player on the list.
Cornerback Breon Borders went on the list Tuesday, and backup offensive lineman Sean Harlow went on the same day as Golden.
"It seems like a new guy pops up every day," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "You kind of cross your fingers and hope."
With the new NFL protocols, there is a chance Golden could be cleared to play this weekend against Dallas. But it'll depend on Golden's symptoms if he can return after five days. Kennard will miss the Dallas game.
The one good part about the situation? Outside linebacker Chandler Jones had Covid in mid-October, meaning he is in a 90-day post-Covid window in which he does not have to be tested.
Punter Andy Lee did come off the Covid list Wednesday, but the potential of losing players each day can't escape the mind of players or coaches.
Kingsbury was asked if the Cardinals were doing anything in particular to keep quarterback Kyler Murray safe. Kingsbury said the Cards aren't doing anything extra from the spacing out they have done all season and even last year, something that has "worked well."
"Covid, obviously it's a thing," Murray said Wednesday. "I'm trying to steer clear of that. I try to just be low-key and not really stay out into the scene too much because I know it's running heavy right now and my goal is to be here, be available for the guys and continue this thing and try to win a Super Bowl."
Even with the updated protocols, it's all but a certainty players missing on the Covid list will play a factor in the NFL postseason.
"Everybody has to deal with this," tackle Kelvin Beachum said. "The teams that deal with it the best are the ones that continue to thrive. We've had our bouts with it early on in the season, we thrived in spite of, and now we're starting to get hit with it a little bit again.
"This is just the NFL right now. It's the society and environment we're in right now."
