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Todd Heap reacts to Darnell Dockett comments on players and injuries

Cardinals tight end Todd Heap responds to comments made by Darnell Dockett about the team's need for players to get out of the training room and back on the field.

Norm Hall

The Cardinals are mired in a four-game losing streak, and outspoken defensive lineman Darnell Dockett fired a public broadside at some of his unnamed teammates -- stating that his coach called out players who need to get out of the training room and on the field. One player who's been pestered by injuries during his time in Arizona is tight end Todd Heap. The veteran joined Arizona Sports 620 and was asked whether he thought Dockett's comments about getting out on the field were directed at him (via Adam Green of Arizona Sports):

"I don't know exactly who those comments are directed at," Heap said. "If they were directed at me, I hope he would come and talk to me."

Nursing a knee injury, Heap has not played since the Week 2 upset of the Patriots on the road. He also missed several games last year in his first season with the Cardinals.

Heap was quick to delineate the difference between playing with pain and playing injured, and ineffective. The tight end is a pretty cool and even-keeled veteran, and he indicated that it won't be helpful to the team if he's struggling to run, and can't be as effective as the alternative:

"Does it help to go out and limp off the field every other play?

"I don't think that's going to help our team right now."

The Cardinals will need all the healthy, and semi-healthy bodies available this week as they face one of the elite teams in the NFC, the Packers. Green Bay has won three straight and they'll be playing in the friendly confines of Lambeau Field. It would be a huge boost for the Cards if they can pull off another road upset before the bye week.