The full inactive list against the Buccaneers:
— WR J.J. Nelson (shoulder)
— S Marqui Christian
— G Cole Toner
— DT Robert Nkemdiche (ankle)
— DT Frostee Rucker (knee)
— LB Kareem Martin (knee)
— DT Olsen Pierre
It probably shouldn’t be a surprise, given the way Bruce Arians called him a “non-factor” in his debut and then having him pop up Friday on the injury report as questionable with an ankle problem, but first-round defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is inactive today for the Cardinals. Nkemdiche hurt his ankle before training camp even started and it’s possible he jacked it up again in practice.
While Nkemdiche flashed in a couple of practices, publicly Arians has continued to push the rookie. It’s beginning to feel a little like how Arians treated 2015 draft pick D.J. Humphries. Humphries, as we all know, was inactive all last season. The hope would be that Nkemdiche doesn’t fall into the same trap, although the depth the Cardinals have on the defensive line is there to be used if needed.
One slight surprise on the active players: Newcomer cornerback Tharold Simon is indeed active after being claimed Wednesday. How much of a role he has is TBD.
Cardinals Blogs | Nkemdiche out against Bucs; Mathis active
