GLENDALE, Ariz. – A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:
Rookie defensive tackle Bruce Gaston left practice early after trainers and doctors examined his left knee. He walked off the field late in practice and then took a knee on the sideline before sitting on the ground. A trainer put his knee through a series of movements and Gaston stood before being examined again on the ground.Nose tackle Dan Williams did not practice, leaving the Cardinals without their top two nose tackles yet again in practice.
Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro had the kicking duties all to himself Wednesday. He went 8-for-9, only missing from 47 yards. He won’t be kicking Saturday. Veteran Jay Feely will handle the kicking against the Vikings.
During Catanzaro’s kicking period, the Cardinals worked on final-minute scenarios when a 10-second runoff is enacted with 11 seconds left, meaning Arizona would have a second to snap the ball from the moment it’s placed at the line. Catanzaro made the 47-yard kick.
Arizona’s defense had a good day picking off the quarterbacks. Safety Tony Jefferson had one early in the practice off a throw by Carson Palmer intended for John Brown. Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander tipped a Drew Stanton pass which was then picked off by Curtis Taylor. And Teddy William intercepted Ryan Lindley toward the end of practice.
Despite his interception, Palmer found a rhythm during 11-on-11 drills. He hit Larry Fitzgerald on a touchdown pass that went through three defensive backs and a couple of plays later, he threw a perfect fade to Brittan Golden in the back left corner of the end zone.
Rookie linebacker Glenn Carson found out what it’s like to be hit by running back Robert Hughes, who bulldozed through Carson’s tackle on the goal line during 11-on-11 drills.
Injury report: Injury report: G Jonathan Cooper (toe), T Nate Potter(back), LB Kevin Minter (pec), WR Michael Floyd (groin), WR Ted Ginn(knee) and C Lyle Sendlein (calf) did not practice.
The Cardinals’ last practice before heading to Minnesota for Saturday’s game against the Vikings is 2-4:30 p.m. Thursday. Admission and parking are free.
