Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (left) is expected to play Sunday, but wide receiver John Brown may miss the game after it was discovered a sickle-cell trait is causing leg pain.
The quarterback should be OK. One of his wide receivers isn't.
Carson Palmer was "fine" in practice Friday, coach Bruce Arians said, but wide receiver John "Smokey" Brown found out during a blood test Thursday he has a sickle-cell trait that is causing leg pain. Previously, it was thought Brown had hamstring problems.
Arians acknowledged that the hamstring problems that derailed Brown midseason in 2015 were "probably
the same thing" as now.
"We're investigating how to help him," Arians said of Brown, who sat out practice again Friday.
Arians did not rule Brown out for Sunday night's game against the Seahawks, although he is officially listed as doubtful.
As for Brown's reaction, "I think he's very happy he found out why his legs are hurting so bad," Arians said. Brown's legs first started feeling pain pregame against the Jets Monday night, Arians said. Hamstrings were considered the culprit, but when an MRI showed nothing wrong, the Cardinals looked elsewhere.
Brown had five catches for 54 yards against the Jets. On the season, he has 24 receptions for 301 yards.
At least the Cardinals should have Palmer despite his own hamstring issue. Arians said his quarterback made all the throws Friday and "looked great." The Cards put him in the pistol formation in practice so Palmer wouldn't have to stretch too much, Arians said, adding "no big deal." Nevertheless, Palmer is officially listed as questionable and was limited Friday.
Arians also said that didn't mean the Cardinals would use a lot of pistol Sunday night. "He's got 48 hours," Arians said. "He'll be fine."
STINSON WON'T PLAY, JARON BROWN SHOULD
Defensive tackle Ed Stinson (toe), who finally returned to practice Thursday, sat out Friday and won't be available
Sunday after suffering a setback. Arians said when Stinson was pushing on other players in practice, the toe popped out again.
Wide receiver Jaron Brown (knee) was back on the field in limited fashion, Arians said, and should be ready to play. He is questionable.
Guard Mike Iupati (ankle), who missed last week's game, practiced all week and will start Sunday. Linebacker Gabe Martin, who hurt his knee Thursday, is doubtful.
For the Seahawks, safety Kam Chancellor (groin) didn't practice all week and is listed as doubtful. Also out are defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (knee), linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis (ankle), running back Thomas Rawls (fibula) and tight end Luke Willson (knee).
SIMON SAYS HE'S READY FOR SEAHAWKS
Cardinals cornerback Tharold Simon not only came from the Seahawks, he was with Seattle through the first game of the season before he was released. He was claimed off waivers by the Cards Sept. 14.
Simon called it fun, knowing that after "talking smack" in practice for so many seasons, he'll get to do it for real in a game. He is also doing his best to deliver tips and pointers to his teammates about his former teammates, although he cautioned it could only help so much.
"It's like watching film," Simon said. "You can watch everything they do and you still have to play the game and stop them."
Last week, Simon played a season-high 23 defensive snaps as he continues to be integrated into the Cardinals' packages. That's what he's thinking about now, not the fact he left the Seahawks – something he emphasized left zero hard feelings.
"They run a five-star program over there. They showed me nothing but love from day one until the day I left," Simon said.
"(But) come Sunday, it's personal. Between the lines, I'm not your friend. After the game, or after the play, you can tap me up or I can tap you up, but between the lines there's nothing friendly about it."
