Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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DeAndre Hopkins was back to form on Sunday, hauling in nine passes for 136 yards in the win against the Giants.
The All-Pro receiver is third in the NFL in receptions (94) and fifth in receiving yards (1,155), serving as both a big-play threat and security blanket for the Cardinals' offense.
While Hopkins is Kyler Murray's go-to target, the Cardinals have lacked consistent production from their other wideouts most of the year.
Christian Kirk was solid through Week 9, but he's averaged only 22.4 receiving yards per game over the past five, including three catches for 14 yards against New York.
Larry Fitzgerald had two catches for 10 yards against the Giants and KeeSean Johnson had one reception for nine yards, continuing their quiet seasons.
After two standout games in the first three weeks, Andy Isabella has been a non-factor the past two months, and he was a healthy scratch for the first time this season against the Giants.
"Bringing Fitz back (off the COVID-19 list), it really came down to that," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "KeeSean had been playing at a high level, so we kept KeeSean up and brought Fitz back. That bumped Andy down."
Kirk is second on the team with 38 catches for 512 yards, which puts him on pace for a lower yards-per-game average (42.7) than in either of his first two seasons.
Running back Chase Edmonds is third on the team in receiving with 347 yards, and it is tight end Dan Arnold who has emerged the past two weeks as one of Murray's preferred targets.
Fitzgerald, who has 45 catches for 346 yards and no touchdowns this season, may not be the same player as in years past, but Kingsbury would like to see him become a bigger factor down the stretch.
"We'll continue to try to get him the ball more, because when he gets it, good things tend to happen for this offense," Kingsbury said.
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