Clemson moved Isaiah Simmons all over the field last season by choice.
The Cardinals may have to do so out of need.
The safety position has been slammed by injuries in the first three weeks, as starters Budda Baker (thumb) and Jalen Thompson (ankle) won't play against the Panthers in Week 4 and the availability of reserve Chris Banjo (hamstring) is in doubt.
Simmons has been practicing exclusively at inside linebacker since the Cardinals made him the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft but coach Kliff Kingsbury said there have been recent conversations about playing him at safety to shore up the spot.
"Isaiah is a guy who played multiple positions, obviously, there at Clemson," Kingsbury said. "He has a feel for some of that. With those bodies being down, we may have to look into that."
Simmons has only played 35 defensive snaps through three games, as veterans Jordan Hicks and De'Vondre Campbell have been the full-time components at inside linebacker.
Simmons excelled as a safety in college, playing there the majority of the time while also seeing time at linebacker. At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, he is larger than a traditional safety, which will be a test in coverage against wide receivers.
There is also the mental jump, as Simmons was already trying to learn the NFL game at one position and now may add another to his plate.
"He obviously has to learn an entirely new defense, new terminology, new scheme, but he has a feel for multiple positions, and I think that will help the learning curve," Kingsbury said. "Without the offseason, particularly, it made it tough on him, but he's made big strides recently and we'll continue to try and get him more incorporated in the defense."
The Cardinals could have another familiar option available at safety, as Tony Jefferson is reportedly going to work out for the team, according to 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station (Kingsbury would not confirm the report). Jefferson joined the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and became a key starter before signing a lucrative deal with the Ravens in 2017. Jefferson was released by Baltimore this offseason following a torn ACL and has yet to latch on anywhere.
(UPDATE: Jefferson is reportedly not healthy enough to play.)
The Cardinals are reportedly bringing in veteran T.J. Ward for a tryout.
Whether it is Simmons, Ward or another option, the Cardinals will try to plug the major hole left by Baker, who needed surgery on his thumb. Kingsbury told Arizona Sports that he hopes Baker will be back after one week, "but you never know with those things."
Baker leads the Cardinals with 28 tackles and is an integral piece against the run and the pass.
"He's one of the best players in the league and makes a lot of things right defensively when he's back there," Kingsbury said. "We'll see how the procedure goes and take it from there, but hopefully sooner rather than later on (a return to action)."
Thompson is eligible to return from injured reserve as early as the Week 5 game against the Jets but it is unknown if he will be healthy.
Deionte Thompson and recently-signed Curtis Riley played a substantial amount against the Lions, and even if the Cardinals add some pieces to the safety position, could be involved for the foreseeable future. Thompson was the Cardinals' fifth-round pick in 2019.
"I thought D.T. stepped in and had some good moments and had some things we need to get better at," Kingsbury said. "But for the limited time he's seen real live game action, I was proud of how he handled himself."
Images from the Week 3 matchup against Detroit
QB Kyler Murray congratulates WR Andy Isabella after they connected on a touchdown.
WR Andy Isabella catches a touchdown pass.
QB Kyler Murray runs for a 1-yard touchdown.
QB Kyler Murray runs for a 1-yard score.
DT Jordan Phillips celebrates his sack.
WR Andy Isabella corrals his touchdown reception.
QB Kyler Murray drops back to pass.
WR DeAndre Hopkins hauls in a pass.
A limited number of Arizona Cardinals fans sit in the stands prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
WR Larry Fitzgerald before the snap.
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks for an opening as Arizona Cardinals free safety Chris Banjo (31) defends.
WR DeAndre Hopkins hauls in a 30-yard catch.
LB De'Vondre Campbell
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) during the first half.
The Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals compete during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray lunges for the end zone for a touchdown as Detroit Lions strong safety Duron Harmon (26) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) andcornerback Jeff Okudah during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is stopped by Detroit Lions nose tackle Danny Shelton (71).
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) runs in for a touchdown after the catch.
The Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions compete during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Jordan Phillips celebrates his sack against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella pulls in a touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Darryl Roberts (29) defends during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is hit during the first half on Sunday.
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is hit by Detroit Lions outside linebacker Christian Jones during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Lions.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Devon Kennard (42) and defensive tackle Corey Peters (98).
Arizona Cardinals wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (10) and Andy Isabella (17) in action against Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21) and Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick celebrates his sack against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) eludes the grasp of Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Jones (41).
Detroit Lions running back Adrian Peterson (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Angelo Blackson (96) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids a hit by Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (21).
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws as center Lamont Gaillard (53) blocks against Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) is hit by Arizona Cardinals center Lamont Gaillard and middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) in action against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, escapes the reach of Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) runs against the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles against the Detroit Lions.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella (17) tries to elude the reach of Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) runs as Detroit Lions inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (59) defends.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws over Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins (58) during the second half.
Andy Isabella dives for the touchdown
Kyler Murray runs for a touchdown
Kyler Murray drops back to pass against the Lions
Kyler Murray dives for extra yardage
The Cardinals surround Lions RB Kerryon Johnson
Kyler Murray scrambles against the Lions
Chase Edmonds runs the ball against the Lions
