Today at UOP stadium the Arizona Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers. Last week the inactive list coughed up Kevin Kolb, who after a slow start came around in time to lead the game winning drive in OT against a playoff bound Dallas Cowboy unit. This week there have been a few notable names on both sides flirting with the inactive tag for today's match-up of NFC West rivals.
Hit the jump to see who's been sidelined.
Inactive today for the Cardinals:
- OLB Joey Porter - The knee, the knee
- FS Kerry Rhodes - Working back into practice, but the foot is still bad
- QB Rich Bartel - Numbers game
- QB D'Anthony Batiste - Numbers game
- WR Chansi Stuckey - Numbers game
- WR Stephen Williams - Numbers game
- WR Jaymar Johnson - Numbers game
Joey Porter misses yet another game. At this point in his career I see this season being his last hurrah. Kerry Rhodes would be welcomed back, but CB Richard Marshall and FS Rashad Johnson have been playing well in his absence. Most important however is the full TE contingent the Cards have, with both Todd Heap and Rob Housler healthy. Look for a big contribution from the TE group.
Sitting for the 49ers:
- ILB Patrick Willis
- DT Ian Williams
- QB Scott Tolzein
- WR Brett Swain
- OT Mike Person
- FB Moran Norris
- G Daniel Kilgore
The big news here is Patrick Willis sitting. The leader of the 49ers stingy defense will be missed. Even though NaVorro Bowman (selected third round, after Andre Roberts) is playing well and the other inside linebacker spot, the subtraction of Willis should open up room for the Cardinals run game. Looks for the Cardinals to test the weakened defense with multiple TE looks. Aside from the Willis injury, the rest of the 49ers inactives appear to be caught in the numbers game as well.
There's an hour left til kickoff, are you ready for some Cardinals football?