Cardinals notes: Williams done for the year

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed Monday that second-year nose tackle Dan Williams has a broken foot and will miss the rest of the season. Williams suffered the injury while trying to make a tackle in the fourth quarter of Sundays 23-7 loss at San Francisco. Whisenhunt said Williams had started to play well following early-season struggles due to weight issues. "We talked about that (Sunday) night -- how important it's going to be to maintain where he is from a weight perspective even now," Whisenhunt said. Hes been getting better and better, and I think its a function of getting in better shape. Its a shame. Hes a good young player, and he was making some plays for us. With Williams out, Whisenhunt has not decided whether he will start surprising rookie David Carter or veteran Nick Eason, who signed as a free agent this offseason. Both will see significant time. Whisenhunt said the team will also add a player to the active roster. Right tackle Brandon Keith suffered a concussion in Sundays game and will have to pass league-mandated tests before he is cleared to practice or play. KOLBS STATUS Whisenhunt said quarterback Kevin Kolb (turf toe, bone bruise on foot) wasn't "very close" to playing Sunday in San Francisco. He'll be re-evaluated again this week. If he can't go, backup QB John Skelton will make his fourth straight start Sunday in St. Louis. Kolb said the foot didn't respond well to his workouts last Wednesday and Thursday. "I pushed it throughout the week, and (then on) Friday, I just couldn't do much with it. I think I would have been hurting my team if I went out there (Sunday) and tried to play on it," he said. RHODES RETURN Free safety Kerry Rhodes was wearing a walking boot Monday and has begun rehabilitating the foot he broke Oct. 9 in Minneapolis. The Cardinals have not put a timetable on his return, and Rhodes has no clearer picture. I wouldnt even begin to guess, he said. Watching (games) is the worst. MANAGING BEANIES KNEE Whisenhunt said running back Beanie Wells' undisclosed knee injury limits the reps he can handle in games the main reason Wells only carried the ball eight times (33 yards) Sunday in San Francisco. The Cards have managed the knee the past few weeks by resting Wells during Wednesday practices, then giving him a limited workload on Thursdays and Fridays. Whisenhunt said that regimen could remain the same all season if the knee doesn't progress. BARTELS BIG MOMENT Third-string quarterback Rich Bartel played in his second game of the season Sunday in San Francisco, relieving ineffective starter John Skelton after three quarters. Its notable because Bartel tossed his first career touchdown pass -- a 23-yard, fourth-quarter strike to Larry Fitzgerald, who wrestled the tipped ball away from a defender. Fitzgerald gave the ball to Bartel to commemorate the moment. "I expected him to give it to me, Bartel cracked. He's got enough of his own. I think he has seventy-something. Surely, he can give one away." When asked about the wisdom of throwing the ball into double coverage, Bartel said: Its Fitz. Two on one for him is really one on one. Hes a future Hall of Famer. Youve got to give him a chance. Hes a freak. Finally, when asked if he had a place to display the ball, he said: It will be all by itself. It will make it easier to find a place. SKELTONS LAMENT Quarterback John Skelton on going 6 for 19 for 99 yards and three interceptions Sunday in San Francisco: Ive been in games in high school and college where it seems nothing will go right. You just learn how to deal with it and move on. Its a learning experience. Youve got to be critical of yourself. Just like the games that go well, theres stuff to improve on. Skelton said its reassuring to know that, despite his struggles, which surprised the coaching staff given the progress he had made the previous two weeks, he will still start over Bartel on Sunday in St. Louis if Kolb cant play. John didnt play his best, but hes got to bounce back, Whisenhunt said. If he has to play this week, hes got to be ready to go.