Kicker Controversy Brews in Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a challenging season, currently sitting with a dismal 3-12 record and all but eliminated from playoff contention. As the team prepares for the final stretch of games, roster changes made on Tuesday have ignited discussions among fans and analysts alike.
In a surprising move, the Cardinals signed kicker Josh Karty from the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams. Under NFL regulations, this means Karty must be elevated to the active roster for the upcoming game, raising concerns for incumbent kicker Chad Ryland. Ryland has faced difficulties in recent weeks, although it’s unclear if he is dealing with an injury.
Chad Ryland’s Struggles
Ryland’s performance has been under scrutiny, particularly following a disappointing outing against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. In that game, he missed two crucial field goals, contributing to a narrow loss for the Cardinals. Head coach Jonathan Gannon expressed confidence in Ryland, stating, “I have all the faith in the world in him. I’m sure he wants some back obviously just like everybody in there. I’ll keep putting him out there. I got faith in him.”
Despite Gannon’s backing, Ryland’s recent statistics tell a different story. He has missed at least one field goal in each of his last five games, converting just 8 of 14 attempts since November 16. With the pressure mounting, it remains to be seen how the coaching staff will approach the kicker situation moving forward.
Additional Roster Moves
Karty’s signing is not the only change for the Cardinals this week. Arizona also added cornerback Kalen King from the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, further reshaping the roster during a tumultuous season. Additionally, the team placed Garrett Williams and Walter Nolen III on injured reserve, officially ending their seasons.
The Cardinals have experienced an unprecedented level of roster turnover this year, utilizing a league-high 80 players. Gannon acknowledged the challenges of managing such constant changes, emphasizing the need for coaches to adapt and position their players for success.
“It’s a challenge, but again that’s our job as coaches to make sure we’re putting them in the right positions,” he explained. “Guys got to go in and play. I always tell the coaches before camp starts… that the people you think are going to get cut are going to end up playing for you. So develop them, get them ready to go.”
He added that this season has been particularly unique, with many players pressed into action. “We’ve had a lot more guys have to play. And that’s something that we’ve had to deal with, but you got to put them in positions. You got to develop them. They got to go out and play well; that’s our job.”
As the Cardinals look to finish the season on a high note, the spotlight will be on Karty and Ryland, making the kicker situation a pivotal point of interest in the coming weeks.
