|
TEMPE, Ariz. -- When Alex Okafor wakes up in a Denver hotel Sunday, it will have been a year and 13 days since he last played in an NFL game. That’s about 28 days too long.  Okafor tore his biceps in Week 3 last season, ending his rookie year prematurely while simultaneously beginning a recovery that was expected to culminate with “Monday Night Football” in Week 1. This season was supposed to be his breakout year. He showed up to organized team activities and minicamp stronger and trimmer, and it translated into an impressive offseason that had coaches excited. But during the final preseason game against San Diego he tore his quad after getting held by a Chargers’ offensive lineman.
His return was shelved for another month, but after last weekend’s bye, the second-year linebacker out of Texas is finally ready to return. “It’s just been frustrating being hut since I’ve been here," Okafor said. “I was disappointed but we got the bye week at the perfect time.” “You can’t sulk in it. You can’t get down on it. I look forward to having an opportunity to help the team out now. I only lost a fourth of the season. It’s not bad. It could be worse. While coming early in the season, the bye week came at the right time for Arizona to get healthy. On Monday, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said there would have been at least three players who would’ve missed a game had Arizona played last Sunday. “I don’t know how many guys would have played last Sunday,” Arians said. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was able to heal his bruised knee during the off weekend, even though he insisted he could’ve practiced last week and would’ve played had there been a game. Nine Cardinals were on the last injury report before Arizona hosted San Francisco, including punter Dave Zastudil who hasn’t punted all season. Right guard Paul Fanaika didn’t practice Monday but was back on the field Wednesday. If Fanaika can’t go, left guard Ted Larsen will shift to the right side and Jonathan Cooper will start at left. “That’s what I’ve been preparing for,” Cooper said. “I came here to compete and I came here to play, you know what I mean? If he can’t go then I think I am ready. I’m ready to go.” Sunday could see the return of Zastudil and Okafor, who feels like he’ll be ready to play in Denver. Arizona will need him to support its struggling pass rush. The Cardinals are ranked 18th in passing yards allowed per game and 30th in sacks per pass attempt, a product of just three sacks this season. Even though he’s missed a month of the season, Okafor said the offseason and training camp was enough preparation so rust won’t be an issue this weekend. “I’m just trying to pick up where this team’s going,” Okafor said. “Every game is another opportunity to keep getting better and keep improving ourselves. I’m just here trying to ride that train and help the team.”
|
