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While the 1972 Miami Dolphins are celebrating being the league's
last unbeaten squad, Arizona (7-1) is striving to make sure one
setback doesn't turn into two.
The Cardinals sputtered often during their 24-21 home loss to
the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 28.
"We didn't put our best foot forward and we feel we can be a lot
better," Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters. "We're
going to play a division opponent on the road -- one we've had
great matchups with the last couple of years. Our guys will be
on edge and ready to go."
The big question for the Cardinals as they seek a regular-season
sweep of the 49ers (3-4) is the health of quarterback Kyler
Murray.
The MVP candidate injured his left ankle during the loss to the
Packers, and he sat out practice Wednesday. Murray and Kingsbury
feel the quarterback can play even if he doesn't practice all
week.
"I think I'll be good to go on Sunday if I just know the game
plan and get the mental reps," Murray said. Kingsbury said it
could turn out to be a game-day decision.
"He is the type of player with his ability and understanding of
the system now, as long as he's getting the mental reps, we feel
good about him going out there and executing," Kingsbury said.
Murray, who said the extra rest coming off of a Thursday game
last week helped his recovery, has been sensational for Arizona
this season and has completed 72.7 percent of his passes for
2,276 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has
rushed for three scores.
Journeyman Colt McCoy is Murray's backup. He hasn't thrown a
pass this season and has an 8-22 record as a starter since
entering the NFL in 2010.
Whoever plays quarterback won't have veteran wideout A.J. Green
or tight end Demetrius Harris on the field. Both players were
placed on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
In addition, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is still bothered by
an ailing hamstring and missed Wednesday's practice.
Meanwhile, San Francisco is vying to even its record at .500
after recording a 33-22 road win over the Chicago Bears last
Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed for a season-best 322 yards
and the 49ers racked up their most points since a season-opening
41-33 win over the Detroit Lions.
Garoppolo said the mood around the team took a step upward by
ending a skid that began in late September.
"Whenever you go on a four-game slide like we did, to get out of
it and getting back in the win column, you've got to enjoy it
for that moment," Garoppolo said. "We've got a good game plan in
this week for Arizona. We know it's a tough team coming in, one
of the best in the league right now. It'll be a good challenge
for us."
49ers tight end George Kittle (calf) was back on the practice
field Wednesday after missing three games while on injured
reserve. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said it was too soon to know
if Kittle can play Sunday.
"I'm not counting on it a hundred percent," Shanahan said of
having Kittle. Kittle hasn't played since Week 4. He has 19
catches for 227 yards and no touchdowns this season.
Standout wideout Deebo Samuel missed practice Wednesday after
aggravating his calf injury. Shanahan does expect to see Samuel
on the field.
Samuel notched his fourth 100-yard receiving effort of the
campaign with six catches for 171 yards against the Bears. He
ranks second in the NFL with 819 receiving yards and has four
scores among his 44 receptions.
Running back Elijah Mitchell (ribs) and left tackle Trent
Williams (ankle) were among the other 49ers who sat out
Wednesday.
Arizona recorded a 17-10 home win over the 49ers on Oct. 10 when
Murray passed for 239 yards, his second-lowest output of the
season.
--Field Level Media
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