Arizona's cornerback unit is feeling the impact of a wave of injuries. Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas were already out, and Williams, Melton, and Will Johnson left Week 2 with injuries. With a Week 3 trip to San Francisco on the horizon and midseason tests vs Green Bay and Dallas looming, the Cardinals are relying on Kei'Trel Clark, Elijah Jones, and Denzel Burke to soak up snaps. Bryce Young’s 328-yard, 3-TD day against Arizona underscored the risk, making the health of the secondary pivotal for fantasy angles.

Kei'Trel Clark has earned upside with increased usage, while Burke’s heavy workload could become a seasonal turning point if Melton and Johnson don’t return soon. This situation creates volatility for Cardinals players and could open opportunities for opponents in upcoming matchups.

Arizona’s 2024 free-agent splash largely missed, with only Mack Wilson and Evan Brown delivering solid season-long value. Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson and Josh Sweat carried big-name expectations but battled injuries and underperformance. Bilal Nichols, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Zay Jones faced hurdles, while DeeJay Dallas exited after preseason. The Cardinals’ 2025 outlook hinges on health, depth and better returns from this year’s additions.

Two breakout contributors stand out: Wilson anchored the middle and Brown logged season-long consistency at left guard, earning new deals. The club now pivots toward stability and health, banking on a deeper roster and clearer roles as it rebuilds around a healthier core and smarter FA picks.

Arizona Cardinal starters produced a potent glimpse of their potential, posting elite first-team rhythm with 7.1 yards per play as Jacoby Brissett steered two scoring drives. Yet Kyler Murray’s troubling ball protection re-emerged with an early interception that underscored the need for safer escapes and better decision-making as the season nears. The Cardinals showcased depth along the line and at wideout, highlighted by strong performances from Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver, who flashed in the roster battle. Special teams hiccups—fumbles, muffed returns, and a rough start on the opening kickoff—remain a concern even in a win. On defense, Dante Stills and the retooled front offered promising depth, while youngsters like Will Johnson, Max Melton, Xavier Weaver, and Elijah Jones pressed for snaps, tempering the offseason hype with real-world results. The Chiefs came up short offensively, allowing Arizona to squeeze out a 20-17 win before the teams meet again next week. The Cardinals head to Denver riding both optimism and reminders of the discipline still required to turn preseason momentum into regular-season reliability.