Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is warming up ahead of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday November 15, 2020 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo / Ross D. Franklin)
Neither the Arizona Cardinals nor Los Angeles Rams will be at full strength with a guaranteed playoff spot for the winner of their week 17 game.
The Cardinals will go shorthand in the wide reception room on Sunday after putting Christian Kirk on the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday, and it could get even thinner when playtime comes.
Larry Fitzgerald, who is on the list of doubtful with a groin injury, was not expected to play from Saturday night. Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Schefter said the 37-year-old “could try to surprise Arizona,” but the cardinals “didn’t count on him being available.”
Fitzgerald played in 13 of the team’s 15 games this season, missing two after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
He has 54 catches a year for 409 yards and one touchdown.
Ram’s injury notes
Across the field, the Rams have already knocked out quarterback Jared Goff with a thumb injury and wide receiver Cooper Kupp due to COVID-19.
They may have their entire back chamber. Rookie Cam Akers is expected to play despite being listed as questionable with a high ankle sprain, according to Schefter.
Akers is second on the team in the hasty yards with 591 in the season and has two hasty touchdowns.
He’s come across strong as of late, rushing for more than 70 yards in each of his last four games, including a 171 yards burst against the Patriots in week 14.
Extra points
If making the playoffs isn’t enough incentive for the Cardinals players in the last game of the season, maybe $ 500,000 can help get at least one player hyped.
That’s what linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will earn if the Cardinals win the game and earn a playoff berth, according to Schefter.
Campbell’s contract includes a $ 500,000 incentive if the Cardinals make the playoffs and the linebacker plays snaps in 65 percent of the teams.
So far, Campbell has represented 80.97% of the teams on the field, the fourth of all players to defend for Arizona this season, according to Pro Football Reference. Like the cardinals, win and he competes.
