TEMPE, Ariz. -- A short week couldn't have come at a worse time for the Arizona Cardinals.
Seven players did not practice Monday, and their status for Thursday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers is still up in the air. Safety Tyvon Branch (groin), tight end Darren Fells (shoulder), punter Drew Butler (left calf), running back Chris Johnson (groin), defensive tackle Josh Mauro (pec), defensive tackle Ed Stinson (toe) and quarterback Carson Palmer (concussion) all sat out practice.
As of Monday afternoon, coach Bruce Arians didn't know the extent of some of the injuries.
If Johnson can't play Thursday, Andre Ellington will take over his role in the running game.
Arians couldn't get a firm grasp on the condition of the limited players, which included cornerback Justin Bethel (foot), tackle D.J. Humphries (ankle) and defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (knee), because Monday's practice was a walk-through.
Arians hopes Rucker can return despite not going through a full practice yet.
