The Cardinals lost their standout rookie wideout last week in Green Bay when second-round pick Christian Kirk broke his foot late in the game.
A less-heralded first-year player made the most of his new opportunity in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Lions.
Undrafted rookie free agent Trent Sherfield had five catches for a team-high 77 yards. His 19-yard catch in the second quarter was the longest Cardinals' pass play of the day.
"I thought he had a nice game," coach Steve Wilks said. "I thought he stepped up."
Sherfield flashed enough promise in the preseason to make the 53-man roster and steadily worked his way up the depth chart. Sherfield stole some practice time with the starters early in the season when Larry Fitzgerald took veteran's days off, and now he is playing side-by-side with the future Hall of Famer.
"Trent continues to get better every week," Fitzgerald said. "He made a huge play for us last week on that third down in Green Bay. Took another good week of practice and took the next step with five catches for 70-something today and he made some timely third down conversions again."
Kirk was the team's leading receiver when he was injured and his absence leaves a void. J.J. Nelson was more involved than in any other game this season, with three catches for 43 yards on seven targets. Nelson entered the game with only four receptions for 21 yards all season.
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Jalen Tolliver made his NFL debut, catching two passes for 22 yards. His first professional catch was an eventful one, as the ball popped loose at the end of a 10-yard gain. The fumble was overturned on review.
The Cardinals will rely on those three pass-catchers and second-year wide receiver Chad Williams – who missed the game with a hamstring injury – to complement Fitzgerald down the stretch.
"We all have to step up for Christian," Sherfield said. "Obviously he's not replaceable. Christian has done things or us that we need. We're missing him right now."
A SLIPPERY FIELD
Several players on both teams slipped early in the game. Running back David Johnson, who lost his footing on an early run, said he changed to longer cleats during the contest.
"I think it threw a lot of guys off how slippery it was, but that's no excuse," Johnson said. "In the NFL, we have equipment for that, and I was glad I was able to change."
Wilks downplayed the impact of the field.
"I thought the field conditions were fine," Wilks said. "They played on the same field that we played on."
BARKSDALE STARTS AT RIGHT TACKLE
Veteran Joe Barksdale, who was signed earlier this week after his release from the Chargers, started the game at right tackle. Will Holden got the start last week after veteran Andre Smith was released.
"We felt that it was the best mix for us this week," Wilks said. "I thought Will did a tremendous job last week. Joe came in understanding our terminology, had a good week of practice and we felt we wanted to go with him, and that's what we did."
PETERSON RETURNS PUNTS
Wilks said wide receiver J.J. Nelson would return punts with Kirk on injured reserve, but it was cornerback Patrick Peterson back deep.
He finished with five returns for 25 yards, an average of 5.2 yards per return. Peterson's longest return – an 18-yarder in the first quarter – was wiped away on a block in the back call against cornerback David Amerson.
NKEMDICHE LEAVES GAME
Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. Wilks said after the game Nkemdiche should be fine.
Images from the Week 14 matchup at State Farm Stadium
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, in Glendale, Ariz. The Buffalo Bills (4-9) prepare to host the Detroit Lions (5-8) in a non-conference meeting of two teams under-going transitions. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) can't make the catch against the Detroit Lions during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a field goal against the Detroit Lions as punter Andy Lee holds during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston defends during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 1,282nd career catch to surpass NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most receptions with one team in NFL history during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) defends, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back David Amerson defends during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Benson Mayowa (91) makes the tackle during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals RB David Johnson is short of the pylon
Detroit Lions strong safety Quandre Diggs (28) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds (29) during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. Slay ran the catch back for a touchdown.
WR Larry Fitzgerald with his catch to move him past Jerry Rice for most all-time receptions for a single team
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) as linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) pursues during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks. left, greets Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) is knocked out of bounds by Detroit Lions defensive back Mike Ford (38) on a punt return during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cameron Malveaux (94) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals K Zane Gonzalez nails the field goal in the fourth quarter against the Lions
RB Chase Edmonds on the carry
Cardinals DE Cameron Malveaux sacks Lions QB Matthew Stafford
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) reacts to a dropped pass during the second half of NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. The Lions won 17-3.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 1,282nd career catch to surpass NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most receptions with one team in NFL history during the second half of an NFL football game as Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) defends, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws under pressure from Detroit Lions defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (14) pulls in a pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) can't make the catch against het Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
WR Larry Fitzgerald holds onto the ball after his catch to move him past Jerry Rice for most all-time receptions for a single team
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) makes the stop during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson reacts after a punt return
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) for an incomplete pass during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson is hit by Detroit Lions middle linebacker Jarrad Davis, left, during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals head coach Steve Walks watches from the sideline
Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) misses a field goal attempt as Detroit Lions defensive back Mike Ford (38) defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is hit by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (90) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea, rear, and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick, center, during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cameron Malveaux defends during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner (34) tries to elude Arizona Cardinals defensive end Zach Moore (56) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the first half of NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the Detroit Lions during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Bruce Ellington (12) is hit by Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Game action between the Cardinals and Lions at State Farm Stadium
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
The Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Josh Rosen (3) talk it over prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks greets his players prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) greets fans prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon wears cleats in support of ALS research prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald wears cleats honoring the late U.S. Sen. John McCain prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals center Mason Cole (64) wears personalized cleats prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz.
