Arizona Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson was hoping to take the field just one week after losing the tip of his finger, but the doctors have not cleared him and he will be forced to sit on the sidelines as an inactive as the team faces off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
With Johnson out of action, rookie Tyrann Mathieu is expected to jump in at the starting free safety role, which could actually provide a boost to the team’s secondary and give them a big playmaker that could take advantage of Tampa Bay’s rookie quarterback Mike Glennon forcing throws in his first NFL start.
For Johnson, it is unfortunate that he is unable to take the field after enduring so much just a week ago, but it is better to serve on the side of caution.
Johnson shouldn’t miss too much time, but with a strong performance by Mathieu he could watch his job begin to slip away. It would be unfortunate, but it is part of the reality of the business side of the NFL.