Two-minute scouting report of the Arizona Cardinals, the Chiefs’ first opponent of 2022
Cardinals running back Darrel Williams’ first game with Arizona will come against his former team.
After four seasons with the Chiefs, Williams signed with Arizona as a free agent. Williams, who was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV championship team, was asked Monday about playing Kansas City in Sunday’s season opener in Glendale, Arizona.
“It’s gonna be really exciting,” Williams said. “I’ll get to face my former teammates, a lot of players that I played with the past four years. I think it’s gonna be great. It’s gonna be different but I think it’s gonna be a great feeling.”
Williams said his new coaches have hit him up for inside information, specifically the defensive and special-teams coordinators.
The Cardinals’ rushing attack ranked 10th last season (2,076 yards), and quarterback Kyler Murray ran for 423 yards.
Arizona was also 10th in passing in 2021, with Murray completing 69.2% of his throws. He had 3,787 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Here are a few other things to know about the Cardinals.
Receiving woes
Murray will be without DeAndre Hopkins, who was suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Rondale Moore had been dealing with an unknown injury, but coach Kliff Kingsbury expects him to be ready to face the Chiefs.
Tight end Zach Ertz’s status for Sunday is up in the air. He’s dealing with a calf injury.
Cornerback issues
The Cardinals’ franchise was dealt a devastating blow in May when cornerback Jeff Gladney died in a car accident.
Cornerback Antonio Hamilton will miss Sunday’s game after burning his foot in a cooking mishap at his home. That’s left the Cardinals scrambling to get that position settled before facing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“Not ideal,” Kingsbury told reporters Monday, “that’s for sure. ...We’ve got to get more depth there soon. We’re working on that.”
Last season recap
The Cardinals won their first seven games a year ago, but finished with an 11-6 record. They were a wild card but lost to the Rams in the playoffs.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 8:40 AM.
