Patrick Peterson went down with his calf injury in Tampa last weekend, and the television camera caught the cornerback angrily tossing his helmet and yelling a word better left unrepeated.
In the moment, it looked like Peterson knew the injury could be a serious one. But the veteran said he figured quickly he'd be OK.
"I'll definitely be out there Sunday," Peterson said. "I've missed enough games."
Besides, Peterson added, his reaction wasn't about the injury itself.
"The reason I did say that word was, I hate leaving the field," Peterson said. "Obviously, you only have a certain amount of DBs you can activate on Sundays. I wanted to be out there with my brothers and I knew I probably wasn't going to be able to finish the game.
"That's what had me upset, that I wasn't going to be able to finish with my guys."
The Cardinals could've used Peterson on the Buccaneers' final game-winning drive. But Peterson's availability means he will be able to get a second chance against the 49ers, the opponent just two weeks ago when Peterson had his high-profile struggles on national TV.
Peterson may or may not be able to guard 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders again. Sanders, who had more than 100 yards against the Cardinals the first time around, many on Peterson, will be a game-day decision with sore ribs, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. But Peterson insisted this game has nothing to do with the previous matchup anyway.
"(Sanders) had a great game, and I want to prepare so I can have a great game this week," Peterson said. "There's not any revenge, or going out of my way (to get him back). Obviously, I want a good performance to put our team in the best position to win. Those are the type of assignments I attract every week."
SHIPLEY, SET FOR 100th GAME, IS ROONEY SPORTSMANSHIP NOMINEE
Starting center A.Q. Shipley was named the Cardinals' nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award Wednesday, a choice Shipley evaluated with appreciation and a chuckle.
"I think you try to play the game the right way," He said. "You understand you'll see these guys year after year. There's no reason to be a jerk … all the time.
"I'm usually trying to butter up people. I don't want them going too hard."
Meanwhile, Sunday's game against the 49ers represents a milestone for Shipley. It'll be his 100th game played in the NFL, a nice total for a former 2009 seventh-round pick who spent his first two seasons on the practice squad and his third out of the NFL after final cuts.
"Looking back on early in my career, you're looking for that opportunity," Shipley said. "You don't know if it is going to come, and one (game) turns into two, two turns into three, and there you are. You keep battling, you keep fighting, you keep grinding. That's been my mentality my whole career."
Shipley would've reached his total sooner, but he missed all 16 games in 2018 after tearing his ACL – making his return this season despite being 33 more impressive.
"I've been able to prove some people wrong, and been able to prove some people right, that it doesn't always matter about statistics or numbers or arm length," Shipley said.
DEFENSIVE LINE REMAINS SHORT ON BODIES
The Cardinals still were missing defensive linemen Jonathan Bullard (foot) and Zach Kerr (knee) for part of practice Thursday, although Kerr did return on a limited basis. Fellow defensive lineman Rodney Gunter (calf) was also limited.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs (back/hamstring) and running back Chase Edmonds didn't practice. Limited for the Cardinals aside from Kerr and Gunter were tight end Maxx Williams (illness), cornerback Tramaine Brock (hamstring), Peterson and tackle Justin Murray (knee).
For the 49ers, not practicing were running back Tevin Coleman (non-injury related), kicker Robbie Gould (quad), defensive tackle D.J. Jones (groin), tight end George Kittle (knee/ankle), Sanders and tackle Joe Staley (finger). Limited were defensive end Dee Ford (quad), running back Raheem Mostert (knee), wide receiver Dante Pettis (back), tight end Levine Toilolo (groin) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (foot/quad).
