Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 11: Running Back Situation Updated, Max Komar Waived

With running backs Beanie Wells (knee), LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring) and Jason Wright (concussion) all listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, the Arizona Cardinals made some changes to their roster. RB Alphonso Smith was moved from the practice squad to the active roster. In order to make room for Smith on the active roster, undrafted rookie WR Max Komar was waived.

Smith will likely see time on special teams, as Wright stated earlier in the week that he was not taking unnecessary risks with his head injury, stating, "I need this brain." Stephens-Howling is unlikely to play, as he did not practice all week, so there is still uncertainty for kickoff returns.

Wells, on the other hand, is expected to play, so the rushing attack will have its top two weapons back, along with Tim Hightower. Ken Whisenhunt has not yet stated whether Hightower or Wells will start on Sunday.

Komar, who made the team along with QB Max Hall and WR Stephen Williams as undrafted rookie free agents, could return to the team if not claimed by another team. I suppose he will be signed to the practice squad, thus swapping spots with Smith.

Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 11: Greg Toler Sits Out, Beanie Wells May Start

The injury news for Thursday has not changed much. Runnings backs LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring) and Jason Wright (concussion) did not practice again, but cornerback Greg Toler also sat out after being only limited on Wednesday, due to a left foot injury. Beanie Wells practiced, but was limited, so the running back situation has not changed much. Much like it has already been mentioned, it would be surprising if Wells were not to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, especially since Wright's and Stephens-Howling's status is still uncertain.

Also limited in practice were Darnell Dockett (shoulder), Clark Haggans (groin), and Kerry Rhodes (hand, back). NT Dan Williams, after being limited on Wednesday, practiced fully.

While Coach Ken Whisenhunt has yet to state whether Wells or Tim Hightower will start on Sunday, it will be interesting to see what happens. Earlier in the season when Beanie public spoke out about wanting the football more, it was followed up with 20 carries (but only for 35 yards) against New Orleans. Wells has already come out and said that he feels good, "probably the best it's felt all year." Additionally, Tim Hightower also came out, as tweeted by a local radio personality, and said that he feels that he will be more effective as a downhill runner if he gets more than just a few carries in a game. Will that lead to more carries for one or both backs? That is left to be determined.

Wright can be cleared to play if he has passed the series of neurological tests needed to clear him medically for his concussion.

Special teams are affected by the injuries to Toler, Wright and Stephens-Howling. It is still unclear who will return kicks if Hyphen can't go. If Toler cannot play, that moves Michael Adams to the starting lineup and likely out of special teams, where he is a gunner on the punt team.

Dockett's shoulder was feeling better, so there is some optimism that he will play, but if he is unable, the fact that rookie DT Dan Williams was back and practicing fully will help, as Arizona will be tested in is D-line depth by the Chiefs very good rushing attack.

Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 11: Beanie Feeling Good

The injury news out of Arizona Cardinals practice today was that running back Beanie Wells was feeling much better -- better, in fact, than he has felt since his preseason knee injury -- though he was still limited. With fellow running backs LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring) and Jason Wright (concussion) not practicing, it would seem probable that Wells will be active on Sunday against the Chiefs and may see playing time.

DT Darnell Dockett (shoulder) and LB Clark Haggans (groin) were both limited again, still nursing injuries from last week. As announced yesterday, RT Brandon Keith has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. It is expected that veteran backup Jeremy Bridges will replace Keith on the line. LT Levi Brown, despite having prior experience playing on the right, will stay in place to avoid multiple changes on an already-tenuous offensive line.

New to the injury report were CB Greg Toler and rookie NT Dan Williams; both were limited today. Toler is battling a foot injury and Williams has a calf injury.

Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 11: Brandon Keith Placed On IR

The Arizona Cardinals have announced today that they have placed offensive tackle Brandon Keith on injured reserve with a third degree tear in his right hamstring, which he suffered in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Keith, who has started all nine games at right tackle this year, will likely be replaced by veteran lineman Jeremy Bridges.

OL D'Anthony Batiste has been signed to the practice squad to fill Keith's spot on the 53-man roster.

The Cardinals also announced that they have signed RB Alfonso Smith to the practice squad to aid the ailing running back corps. WR Ed Gant was waived to make room for the signing.

Arizona Cardinals Injury Update: Beanie Practices

The good word out of Arizona Cardinals practice today is that Beanie Wells participated after sitting out the past two days with knee swelling -- though he was limited. The team and Wells are still hopeful that he'll play on Sunday, but one would assume his carries would be affected and that Tim Hightower will actually get the start.

Additionally, LB Clark Haggans (groin), LB Paris Lenon (ankle), and DT Darnell Dockett (shoulder) are all listed as "questionable" on the official injury report, though all have a good chance of being active come Sunday.

For the most part, the team continues to escape serious injuries, and they'll need as many healthy bodies as possible to take advantage of an easy portion of schedule and gain ground in the division.

Arizona Cardinals Injury Report, Week 10: Beanie's Knee Still An Issue

Now past the halfway point of the NFL season and into Week 10, injuries are really starting to take their toll on teams around the league, particularly the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.

The Cardinals have not been decimated by the so-called "battle of attrition" as much as the aforementioned clubs, but they've been hit here and there by some battle wounds that have kept the whole of their roster from playing much together.

Now that the receiving corps is complete again, the Cardinals are dealing with other health deficiencies.

The season-ending injury of special teams player Kenny Iwebema (feared to be a torn ACL) is a tough blow, and the lingering knee swelling of running back Beanie Wells has fans afraid there is something more to the story, given the smoke screens and obfuscation in which coaches partook after Wells' preseason surgery.

Wells missed practice on Wednesday, but he and Whisenhunt were optimistic he'd do more work later in the week and play on Sunday. Joining Wells in the "DNP" ether were linebackers Clark Haggans (groin) and Paris Lenon (ankle) and their game day status was unknown. DT Darnell Dockett (shoulder), LB Will Davis (knee), LB Joey Porter (knee), and S Kerry Rhodes (hand) were limited, though they're all expected to be okay come Sunday.