The impact Patrick Peterson should have on the Cardinals now that he has returned should be "immense," GM Steve Keim said Friday during an appearance on the "Doug and Wolf" show on 98.7, Arizona's Sports Station. "We've certainly had our issues in that area."

Along those lines, Keim again noted that the Cardinals won't be trading the cornerback, and even said that despite reports, he has not gotten any calls recently from teams asking if Peterson was available.

"I don't know why the questions persist," Keim said. "I have addressed it multiple times, last week or a couple of weeks ago -- we are not trading Patrick Peterson. Our stance is simply been, why trade a player in his prime at one of the hardest positions to find, for a maybe or a couple of maybes (with draft picks).

"Love what Pat brings to the locker room, love what he brings to the field. Again, those positions are impossible to find -- left tackles, quarterbacks, corners. There's no doubt, in my opinion, he is the best in the National Football League and will remain a Cardinal."

Keim declined to get into the potential of a Peterson contract extension (Peterson's deal runs through 2020), saying right now, he just is excited to see Peterson on the field after the six games missed from suspension.

"We have desperately needed him," Keim added.

-- Keim said he was "extremely proud" of the work the offensive line has done. "They are a group that has been ridiculed in the media, taken a lot of shots, and to me those are people that haven't watched the tape. Those guys have played extremely well. This past week, (right tackle) Justin Murray played his best game as a pro, (left guard) Justin Pugh played his best game as a Cardinal and did an extremely good job against Grady Jarrett, one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. (Center) A.Q. (Shipley) has been consistent, (right guard J.R.) Sweezy has been really good, and then (left tackle) D.J. Humphries has played his best ball this year."

Keim gave major credit to line coach Sean Kugler, who Keim called one of the best at that job in the NFL.

-- Cornerback Robert Alford is "progressing" in his rehab from a broken leg, Keim said. Alford is on IR but remains a candidate to potentially return at some point. "He'll do the best he can to get back, but it's too early to tell," Keim said.

-- Keim said he was hopeful both running back David Johnson (ankle) and wide receiver Christian Kirk (ankle) will play this weekend. (A quick aside -- it seems as if Johnson would be ahead of Kirk in that regard.)