The Cardinals seemed to dodge a bullet Thursday, when Patrick Peterson shot down Deion Sanders' contention on ESPN's First Take that the star cornerback is “trying to escape” the organization.
So one side of the field remains covered, but it doesn't solve all of the team's cornerback concerns.
Peterson has been up to his usual tricks this season, allowing 24-of-40 targets to be completed for 271 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. His passer rating allowed of 76.1 is the 16th-best in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
While Peterson is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 cornerback, the No. 2 spot remains a turnstile. The Cardinals began the season with Jamar Taylor opposite Peterson, but he was cut last week. BenéBenwikere was given the next shot, and he was released on Monday.
Now it is David Amerson's turn. He is a six-year veteran who has found some NFL success but was out of work just 10 days ago. Peterson has a goal of leading the Cardinals to a Super Bowl one day, and finding that elusive cornerback complement would certainly help.
"I believe the cornerback I played with longest was Jerraud (Powers) and we had a lot of success," Peterson said. "Having a guy you can play with and go through a full offseason with, multiple offseasons with, you learn how to play off one another. I believe it's definitely going to be key for us to find a solid No. 2 corner moving forward. In (General Manager) Steve Keim we trust."
Amerson signed a four-year, $33.9 million contract extension with the Raiders in 2016 but was released this February. He signed with the Chiefs two weeks later but didn't make the team out of training camp. Still only 26, Amerson gets a critical starting chance with the Cardinals.
"It's definitely an opportunity to represent this ballclub and also myself, to put some good film out there for my career," Amerson said. "You know, try to prolong it."
The Cardinals' secondary has a tough matchup on Sunday against the Packers and their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Dontae Johnson and Quinten Rollins were signed this week as two more cornerback options and the team is trying to get them up to speed.
Rollins, like Amerson, is a former second-round pick. Johnson started all 16 games for the 49ers last season. Keim has turned free agent defensive backs with pedigree into productive pieces in recent years and hopes to do so again.
Veteran cornerback Tramon Williams was fantastic down the stretch last year after signing during training camp. Safety D.J. Swearinger joined the practice squad in 2015 and turned into a key contributor.
Coach Steve Wilks believes there will be sufficient motivation for Amerson, Johnson and Rollins to make a quick impression.
"I think where these guys are in their career – and you're right, some of those guys are high draft picks – it's an opportunity to say, 'This may be my last shot,'" Wilks said. "Coming in with a clean slate, focused, and hopefully they can make things happen from here."
Amerson will get the first opportunity, as Peterson continues to wait for a partner to emerge.
"Hopefully he can go out there Sunday, make some plays for us and we can finally solidify a starting corner for the rest of the season," Peterson said.
Images from past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers Elijah Pitts (22) goes over from the seven in the early second quarter in St. Louis, on Monday, night, Oct. 30, 1967. Coming in too late to stop him is Jim Burson (49) of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Green Bay Packers running-back Donny Anderson (44) takes to the air as he is hit by St. Louis Cardinals Miller Farr during the first period, Dec. 5, 1971, St. Louis, Mo. Anderson managed only three yards on the run before being downed by Farr
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Walker Gillette (84) runs upfield with a reception during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisc., on Nov. 11, 1973. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 25-21.
St. Louis Cardinals wide receiver Ike Harris (84) catches a pass during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers in St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1976. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 29-0.
St. Louis Cardinals linebackers Steve Neils (53) and Ray White (55) pursue a fumble by Green Bay Packers running back Williard Harrell (40) during an NFL game in St. Louis, Sept. 19, 1976. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 29-0.
St. Louis Cardinals head Coach Jim Hanifan (left) offers his congratulations to Green Bay Packers head Coach Bart Starr at mid-field after the Packers' 41-16 first-round playoff victory, Jan. 8, 1983 in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver John Jefferson (83) scores one of his two touchdowns during the 1982 NFC Wild Card Game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Green Bay, Jan. 8, 1983. The Packers defeated Cardinals 41-16.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84), chased by Phoenix Cardinals Jay Taylor, heads towards the goal line to score the first touchdown in their game in Tempe, Nov. 18, 1990.
Green Bay Packers' Billy Lyon (98), Cletidus Hunt, top, and Darren Sharper (42) stop Arizona Cardinals running back Mario Bates for a short gain in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie (34) intercepts a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals receiver David Boston (89) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis. McKenzie had two interceptions in the Packers' 49-24 win.
Green Bay Packers' receiver Bill Schroeder leaps over running back Dorsey Levens after Levens rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 2, 2000, in Green Bay, Wis. Watching is Cardinals' safety Pat Tillman (40).
Green Bay Packers linebacker Hardy Nickerson (56) pulls down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer in the first quarter of their preseason game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Jeff Blake, upside down center, scores a touchdown as Green Bay Packers' Antuan Edwards (24) Chukie Nwokorie (90) and Na'il Diggs defend during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis celebrates after his team intercepted a pass in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers with two seconds remaining in the game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.The Cardinals defeated the Packers 20-13.
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green runs past Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hayes (54) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Green Bay Packers' Brett Favre (4) talks to Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner after an NFL football game in this Oct. 29, 2006, photo in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay Packers running back Vernand Morency (34) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals' Eric Green during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart throws the ball as he is hit by Green Bay Packers' Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (94) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. The Packers won 31-14.
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green (30) flips into the end zone in front of Arizona Cardinals' Robert Griffith (34), Bertrand Berry (92) and Gabe Watson (98) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006.
Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the second half on an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 33-7.
Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart, right, tries to get off a pass as Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews (52) applies pressure while Cardinals' Jeremy Bridges blocks in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 33-7.
Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) hits Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and causes a fumble during the overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona's Karlos Dansby recovered the fumble and ran it in for a touchdown. Arizona won 51-45.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers watches Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby (58) run back a fumble after Rodgers was hit by Michael Adams (27) during overtime of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona won 51-45.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Green Bay Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) talks to Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson after the Cardinals defeated the Packers 51-45 in overtime in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower (34) is stopped by Green Bay Packers cornerback Brandon Underwood during the second half on an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 in Glendale, Ariz. The Packers won 33-7.
Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers avoids Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals' LaRod Stephens-Howling(36) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers' Jarrett Bush during the first half of NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals' John Skelton (19) calls a play against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs after the catch as Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cory Redding (90) runs in a fumble recovery for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) falls to the turf during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) signals safety after a sack in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a defensive stop against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis (83) makes a catch for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his catch in the red zone to set up a game winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 26-20 in overtime.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores the game winning touchdown in overtime as Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) defends during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 26-20 in overtime.
