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Cardinals rookie WR unlikely to play in Week 1

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Brendan Mau | Last updated Sep 6, 2024 1:35 PM ET

The Arizona Cardinals have a pretty clean injury bill heading into Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, but will likely be without rookie wide receiver Xavier Weaver, according to coach Jonathan Gannon.

Gannon said before practice Friday that Weaver, an undrafted Colorado product, is “probably not going to go” due to an oblique injury that has sidelined him for all of the team’s practices this week.

“(Weaver’s) trending for next week, should be good to go (then),” Gannon said.

(via PHNX’s Bo Brack)

Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon says WR Xavier Weaver won’t play this week as he battles an oblique injury. @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/in3mWETJDs

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) September 6, 2024

Weaver made the roster as the backup slot receiver behind Greg Dortch after a very strong training camp and preseason and veteran wide receiver Zay Jones was suspended for the first five games.

Gannon added that another veteran in Zach Pascal would be fine filling in if needed on Sunday behind the team’s clear-cut starting three receivers in Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Dortch.

Another addition to the team’s injury report on Thursday was reserve safety Joey Blount, who did not practice due to a back injury, while rookie tight end Tip Reiman was limited with an ankle injury for the second-straight day.

Gannon said that both Blount and Reiman are expected to practice Friday and will determine their statuses for Week 1 after.

The Cardinals and Bills will both list players with official injury designations (out, questionable or doubtful) after Friday’s practice.

Stay tuned for more injury updates ahead of Sunday’s opening matchup at 10:00 a.m. MST.