INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- If Larry Fitzgerald does decide to retire after the season, he'll need his teammates to get the Cardinals into the playoffs in order to actually play in a final game.
The veteran wide receiver, who has battled a groin injury for two weeks, is inactive in the Cards' win-or-go-home finale against the Rams Sunday. Fitzgerald did miss two games earlier this season after testing positive for COVID, but the Rams' game will be the first Fitzgerald has missed with injury since 2014.
It's only the ninth game Fitzgerald has missed since coming into the league in 2004, playing in 263.
Fortunately, Fitzgerald is the only questionable player the Cards have that will not play. Safety Budda Baker (neck) is active, a big boost for the Cardinals' defense. Running back Chase Edmonds (hip), who like Fitzgerald did not practice all week, is also active although with the injury he figures to be limited. Tight ends Maxx Williams (ankle) and Darrell Daniels (hamstring) are also playing.
With Christian Kirk already out Sunday after going on the COVID list, the Cardinals will be severely short-handed at wide receiver. Andy Isabella is active for the first time after being a healthy scratch the last three games, and the Cards also have KeeSean Johnson and Trent Sherfield behind DeAndre Hopkins.
The Cards also could use Dan Arnold in such a role, given that there are four tight ends active: Williams, Daniels, Arnold and Seth DeValve.
The full list of Cardinals inactives:
- QB Brett Hundley
- WR Larry Fitzgerald (groin)
- RB Eno Benjamin
- CB Jace Whittaker
- C Lamont Gaillard
- OL Joshua Miles
