The Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams wasn't ever going to be a marquis match up for NFL Week 9. The two teams have a combined two wins on the season and will be fighting for last place in the NFC West. Making matters worse (or perhaps better), the Cardinals will be without their starting quarterback as Kevin Kolb (toe) is inactive for this game. Sam Bradford will return after missing the last two games due to an ankle injury.
The Kolb injury will give John Skelton his first start since he finished out last season going 2-2 in four starts but completing just 48 percent of his throws. Skelton is confident, however, that he will do much better this season and said his comfort level is "night and day" compared to his rookie year.
For the Cardinals, RB Beanie Wells (knee) and TE (Todd Heap) are active and expected to play. No surprises there. OLB Joey Porter (knee) is not active along with TE Rob Housler (groin), FB Anthony Sherman (ankle), S Kerry Rhodes (foot), and WR Stephen Williams. The biggest surprise on the inactive list of the Cardinals (pun intended) is RG Deuce Lutui.
The Rams inactive list includes CB Rod Hood, RB Jerious Norwood, LB Bryan Kehl, starting RT Jason Smith, TE Stephen Spach, starting WR Danario Alexander and DT Darell Scott.
For more on the Cardinals, visit Revenge of the Birds blog.