Updated Aug. 23, 2026, 8:54 a.m. MT
As anticipated, Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur stored his promise and rested nearly all his main starters throughout his crew’s third recreation of the preseason, a 34-13 loss to the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Saturday evening, Aug. 22, at State Farm Stadium.
That’s good. That’s good. It’s refreshing that the rookie head coach has tried to be as clear as attainable and communicate the reality to reporters as typically as he can.
But now we’ve reached the purpose the place it’s time for LaFleur to offer some actual solutions to the curious case of edge rusher Josh Sweat, the Cardinals’ most impactful defensive participant, who hasn’t practiced as soon as with the crew because the finish of final season.
Since leaving the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and signing a four-year deal value $76.4 million and ending with a team-leading 12 sacks throughout his debut season in Arizona, Sweat has been practically invisible. He didn’t take part in any on-field work throughout OTAs or minicamp. When coaching camp lastly rolled round, he was immediately positioned on the Physically Unable to Perform list for upkeep of a minor knee concern.
LaFleur mentioned the transfer was precautionary, including that the ninth-year veteran can be activated as quickly as attainable and that completely nothing was significantly flawed. Days become weeks, and Sweat continues to stay out, or sidelined, or one thing that doesn’t fairly really feel proper.
This isn’t to recommend that the Cardinals’ scenario with Sweat is mirroring the Arizona Diamondbacks’ newest mystery involving the mercurial Ketel Marte, nevertheless it’s beginning to make me marvel.
What’s the holdup? LaFleur has by no means indicated that Sweat has had any setback together with his knee. Apparently, the skin linebacker isn’t making any calls for about being traded to a contender, both. The coach has continued to say that Sweat is in good spirits, progressing effectively, and shall be again earlier than you recognize it.
So, after the loss to Dallas, I requested him if he was optimistic Sweat may very well be activated within the very close to future — you recognize, like this week.
LaFleur’s solely response was, “This coming week? Josh is doing good.”
Uh, anyone checked the calendar currently?
Cut-down day is looming on Sunday, Aug. 30. All NFL golf equipment should cut back their roster to the 53-man restrict. The Cardinals’ season opener is lurking quickly after, on Sept. 13 on the Los Angeles Chargers.
If Sweat isn’t activated from the PUP list in some unspecified time in the future this week, it’s greater than seemingly he’s going to overlook Wednesday’s joint-practice classes in Wisconsin earlier than Arizona’s preseason finale on the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 28. Should that be the case, it leaves Sweat treasured little time to squeeze in some crucial apply work earlier than the season begins.
“We want all these guys, whether they got injured or they got injured a week ago or obviously in Sweat’s case in terms of just getting him out there for that first time,” LaFleur mentioned. “We want all those guys back, but like I always say with the guys that are edge rushers, they rush the quarterback. It’s a little different than the rhythm and timing of a quarterback if we’re being real about it. It’s one thing, rhythm and timing, and working in combination with an offensive line.
“It’s another thing when you’re in that stance on third down, and you’re fighting to win huge. There’s no doubt in my mind if you want to be better at football, you’ve got to be out there in football. But there’s a little difference there in my mind. Not everyone would agree with me on that.”
Take that for no matter it’s value. But if Sweat is really wholesome, it ought to have occurred by now. If he is really completely happy in Arizona, he ought to have proclaimed himself able to go. For the Cardinals’ sake — and their anxious fan base — you’ll be able to solely hope the choice has already been made, and that Sweat is able to get again to work.
You know, like yesterday.
It doesn’t sound like we’re any nearer to an answer. It’s too dangerous, actually. It would function a large shot within the arm for the franchise, which is at all times looking for a lift.
When the crew activated cornerback Garrett Williams from the PUP list on Thursday, Aug. 20, he was at apply later that day. Like Sweat, Williams didn’t swimsuit up towards the Cowboys. But at the least Williams is doing one thing.
That’s what this crew and what the sports-loving of us within the Valley have to see from Josh Sweat. He is the Cardinals’ solely respectable menace at harassing opposing quarterbacks and wrecking a recreation as a “war daddy” — a nickname his former coach, Jonathan Gannon, appreciated to name him and different infamous NFL move rushers comparable to Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons.
Until he is again within the fold, again on the sector, and invading opponents’ backfields, the Cardinals don’t stand a ghost of an opportunity of being related in 2026. Not when their finest defensive participant, sadly, has been a ghost himself.
Reach McManaman atbob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic Follow him on X, previously Twitter: @azbobbymac and hearken to him dwell each Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) and each Thursday on the Doug Franz Unplugged podcast through Apple or Spotify.
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