Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Jalen Thompson was already sidelined, Budda Baker had thumb surgery and Chris Banjo has all but been ruled out with a bad hamstring, leaving the Cardinals in a lurch at safety.
It's not an ideal situation for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who said Thursday his starters at the position Sunday in Carolina will be second-year man Deionte Thompson and veteran Curtis Riley, who wasn't signed until Jalen Thompson got hurt.
As for rookie Isaiah Simmons, any true stint he might have at safety – a move that was discussed because of all the injuries -- seems to be on hold.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson said Simmons hasn't worked at safety this week, and Joseph said the Cards have yet to work with Simmons full-time at the spot.
"Isaiah has done a good job learning his role each week and the packages," Joseph said. "He has a chance to do a couple things for us this week. We'll see how the game unfolds but he has been locked in, he understands the entire system, he is playing multiple spots and we'll see how the game unfolds on Sunday where he plays."
Veteran T.J. Ward, signed to the practice squad Thursday, has not been around long enough to be an option Sunday, Joseph said, calling the addition of Ward for the future.
As for Simmons, Peterson echoed Joseph's oft-repeated thoughts that the rookie is better off concentrating on what he was already doing rather than transitioning all the way to a new position.
"I believe we have enough guys right now on the back end that we feel we can get through this game with what we have right now at safety," Peterson said. "We know Isaiah can play multiple positions but we need to get him comfortable at one position so he can play fast and stay on the field."
Joseph said the Cardinals "feel good" about using Deionte Thompson – who has been learning the system since he arrived last year – and Riley, who has started in the NFL and had a four-interception season for the Giants.
The hope is that Baker might only miss a game or two before playing with his thumb casted up. Banjo will be week-to-week, and Jalen Thompson is eligible to return from injured reserve as soon as next week.
"The entire league is going through major injuries right now," Joseph said. "It's our turn at safety. I think at safety, if you have two guys that understand what they are doing and they run and play hard and tackle and keep the ball in front of them, that's a spot where you can get away with guys being injured."
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