Meanwhile, quarterback Kyler Murray has thrown for 300 yards only once – although offensive production is down across the league – and the Cardinals have just one pass play of 30 yards this season.
But Murray continues to stick to his belief that any receiving group out there can do the job.
“If anything I’m excited for those guys to be (almost) back,” Murray said. “Tweezy, Hop, it’s a different vibe, a different energy that they bring back to the game, to the team, that the team has missed. It’s hard to fill that void. They bring that juice every day to the locker room, to practice, talk a lot. Makes everyone feel better.”
Kingsbury addressed Isabella’s release, saying “I think the world of him.” Isabella passed through waivers unclaimed on Wednesday before signing to the Ravens practice squad, and Kingsbury said “he can play in this league.”
Isabella was caught behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk when he first arrived, Kingsbury said, and it stunted Isabella’s development. The Cardinals had all three of their 2019 drafted wideouts – Isabella, Hakeem Butler and KeeSean Johnson – wash out.
But Kingsbury wouldn’t say wide receiver was any more difficult to evaluate than other draftees, only that a receiver has to be put somewhere to maximize his skillset.
The comings and goings should soon come out with the Cardinals ahead – especially when Hopkins is available again.
The last time the Cardinals played the Eagles in 2020, Hopkins had nine receptions for 169 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Cardinals have to find a way to get some of that production this week without him as usual.
“You’d love to be able to hit some deep shots every game but you watch across the league sometimes it’s not there,” Murray said. “You have to be willing to take the underneath stuff. It’s tough when you are a young quarterback, learning that. But in Year 4, I’ve dealt with it.”
PRACTICE SQUAD MOVE
The Cardinals placed offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons on Injured Reserve/Practice Squad, and re-signed offensive lineman Koda Martin to the practice squad.
