GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals flew home from New Jersey with a 1-3 record, a third straight loss and an injury list that could reshape their offensive line for a tough October stretch.
Sunday’s 36-24 defeat to the New York Giants ended with Deonte Banks’ 98-yard interception return on the final play. Monday brings the less dramatic but more important questions.
The injuries
Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. left late in the game and was wearing a sling afterward. Coach Mike LaFleur said Johnson has a biceps injury, and its severity was not yet known. Johnson had started all 43 of his regular-season appearances over the previous three seasons, according to RotoWire. If he cannot play, the team’s website says rookie Jayden Williams is next in line; Williams finished Sunday’s game at left tackle, Cardinals Wire reported.
Right guard Isaiah Adams was carted off in the second quarter with an ankle injury, with Jon Gaines II stepping in. On defense, safety Andrew Wingard was carted off in the first quarter with a knee injury, pushing undrafted rookie Wydett Williams Jr. into heavy snaps next to Budda Baker, Arizona Sports reported.
NFL looking at a sideline exchange
The league is also reviewing a late-game confrontation between tight end Trey McBride and side judge Jeff Seeman after a third-down play in which McBride wanted a pass interference flag. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the NFL is examining video in which the official appears to direct profanity at McBride, according to Arizona Sports. NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter called the behavior unacceptable and said officials should be held to the same standard as players.
McBride finished with seven catches for 31 yards on 12 targets, his quietest game of the season.
No quarterback change, and Detroit comes to town
Asked after the game whether he would consider replacing Jacoby Brissett, who threw three interceptions, LaFleur answered with a single word: “No.”
Next up is Detroit at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, followed by the Rams and Broncos. The Lions (2-2) lost 32-26 at Carolina on Sunday Night Football, where former Arizona Wildcats star Tetairoa McMillan had 14 catches for a career-high 192 yards and two touchdowns, according to the Associated Press. Jared Goff still threw for 412 yards in the loss, a reminder of what Arizona’s banged-up secondary will face.
One bright spot from New York: kicker Chad Ryland hit a career-long 60-yard field goal to end the first half.
Photo: Dlz28 via Wikimedia Commons (public domain). File photo of State Farm Stadium (then University of Phoenix Stadium) in Glendale.