Larry Fitzgerald (11) of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, November 15, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo / Ross D. Franklin)
Neither the Arizona Cardinals nor the Los Angeles Rams will be in full force with a playoff spot guaranteed to the winner of the Week 17 game.
The Cardinals enter Sunday with a lack of manpower in the wide receiver room, after putting Christian Kirk on the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday, and can be even more limited at game time.
Larry Fitzgerald, who is listed as questionable with a groin injury, was not expected to play Saturday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter said the 37-year-old man “could try to surprise Arizona”, but that the Cardinals “were not counting on him available”.
Fitzgerald played 13 of the team’s 15 games this season, losing two after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
He has 54 receptions in the year for 409 yards and a touchdown.
Ram injury notes
Across the field, Rams has already declared quarterback Jared Goff out with a thumb injury and wide receiver Cooper Kupp out due to COVID-19.
They can have their full race room, however. Rookie Cam Akers are expected to play, despite being listed as questionable with a high ankle sprain according to Schefter.
Akers is the team’s second runner at 591 in the season and has two run touchdowns.
He’s been strong lately, running more than 70 yards in each of his last four games, including a 171 yard blast against the Patriots in Week 14.
Extra points
If reaching the playoffs is not enough incentive for Cardinals players in the final game of the season, perhaps $ 500,000 can help to get at least one player promoted.
This is what linebacker De’Vondre Campbell will gain if the Cardinals win the game and get a playoff spot, according to Schefter.
Campbell’s contract includes a $ 500,000 incentive if the Cardinals make it to the playoffs and the linebacker plays on 65 percent of the selections.
To date, Campbell has been on the field for 80.97% of the national teams, the fourth most of any player in defense for Arizona this season, according to the Professional Football Reference. Like the Cardinals, win and he’s in.
