Robert

Alford

Alford played above expectations for the Cardinals in 2021 -- out of nowhere after two years without playing an NFL game -- and wouldn’t be a bad re-signing. Arizona has only added Jeff Gladney at corner this offseason and the Cardinals should welcome all competition for spots that Byron Murphy isn’t playing.

Speaking Wednesday, coach Kliff Kingsbury said it “doesn’t look good” for the rookie starter’s odds of suiting up against Dallas. That’s a big deal with fellow starter Robert Alford on injured reserve. Alford has been sub-replacement level this season, but the Cardinals will be digging deeper than any team wants to on the depth front against a Cowboys passing attack that finally exploded in Week 16 vs. Washington.

The team saved $7.5 million against the 2021 salary cap by releasing Alford a couple days ago. But he’ll return to Arizona in 2021 after missing the past two seasons with various injuries. Alford, 32, is a borderline starting option in a thin Arizona secondary.

The move saves $7.5 million against Arizona’s 2021 salary cap and only comes with $1.5 million in dead money. The move also leaves the Cardinals with a brutal cornerback depth chart. Patrick Peterson is reportedly unlikely to re-sign after an up-and-down campaign, and Arizona asks their corners to play more man coverage than most. Expect the team to address the position aggressively in free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. Alford, 32, has missed each of the last two seasons with a broken leg and torn pec.

Alford missed all of last season with a broken leg, so this definitely puts him behind the eight ball regarding his football future. Behind Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals don’t have a whole lot at corner. It’ll be some combination of Byron Murphy, Kevin Peterson, Jalen Davis, and Chris Jones behind Patrick Peterson. Maybe even first-rounder Isaiah Simmons will get some reps at slot corner.

Alford recently missed all of 2019 with a leg injury and will now likely sit out a portion of the season with a strained pec. Evaluations to determine his timetable are currently ongoing. Any extended absence would pit Jalen Davis or Kevin Peterson across from Patrick Peterson with Byron Murphy still manning the slot.

Alford will miss at least the first eight games, but he is a candidate to return in the second half of the season. Alford is recovering from a fractured tibia. The Cardinals defense will be one to attack in fantasy given this secondary. The Lions get to feast on it first.

Alford is expected to miss the first half of the season but will likely be a candidate to return from I.R. at some point. Arizona is in big trouble at cornerback the first six games with Alford now out and Patrick Peterson suspended six weeks. Tramaine Brock, who has played for multiple teams the last couple years, and second-round rookie Byron Murphy now top the depth chart.

Speaking Thursday, head coach Kliff Kingsbury hinted Alford’s absence would extend well into the regular season. With Patrick Peterson suspended for six games, the Cardinals will be without both of their starting cornerbacks for an extended amount of time. Second-round rookie Byron Murphy and shaky veteran Tramaine Brock are the next men up. The Cardinals are going to find themselves in a lot of Big 12-style shootouts.