The Cardinals have worked hard to solidify their tackle situation this season, but the reality is that the team might need to use backups in those spots in the final two games of the season. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was already out with a knee injury and now right tackle Jonah Williams hurt his knee, and with the Cardinals eliminated from the postseason, being cautious in such a situation makes a lot of sense.
Kelvin Beachum filled in for PJJ on Sunday in Carolina, playing all 70 offensive snaps, with Jackson Barton -- in his final practice squad callup of the season -- playing 30 at right tackle when Williams went down on his 40th. Barton filled in for a start earlier this year at right tackle (and did pretty well) when both Williams and Beachum were out against the Lions.
Speaking of the Lions, that was the only other time this season Marvin Harrison Jr. didn't play the most snaps at wide receiver aside from Sunday. MHJ was in for 57 snaps, while Michael Wilson played 63. Zay Jones was in for 27, and Greg Dortch played 21.
The knee injury for James Conner ended his day at 31 (incredibly productive) snaps, when he had 166 total yards. Michael Carter, a practice-squad elevation, ended up with 25 snaps, and DeeJay Dallas played a season-high 16 offensive snaps (and scored a receiving touchdown.)
At tight end, Trey McBride played 65 snaps, while Tip Reiman was in for 26 and Elijah Higgins had 19.
The usual suspects were part of the 100 percent club (68) snaps on defense: safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson, and inside linebacker Kyzir White. The rest of the secondary played out with cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting (62), Starling Thomas V (52), Garrett Williams (42) and Max Melton (22), with safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson getting 10.
With Mack Wilson Sr. out, Owen Pappoe had a big jump in work at inside linebacker (25), with Krys Barnes (12) next. At outside linebacker, Zaven Collins returned to the top of the playtime chart (51), followed by Julian Okwara (31), Baron Browning (29 before leaving with a neck injury), Victor Dimukeje (22), and Xavier Thomas (9).
On the defensive line, L.J. Collier led the way with 39, and Dante Stills (34), Darius Robinson (a career-high 33), Roy Lopez (28), Naquan Jones (22) and Khyiris Tonga (20).
