Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals to be without DTs Rucker, Redding for Sunday's matchup

Published Nov. 25, 2015 6:32 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Arizona Cardinals will be thin along the defensive front for Sunday's matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.

Defensive tackles Cory Redding and Frostee Rucker are unlikely to play, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians tell reporters Thursday. Rucker injured an ankle in last weekend's game versus Cincinnati while Redding will sit out his second straight game due to a high ankle sprain.

Arians added that linebacker LaMarr Woodley also is expected to be sidelined Sunday while the team will wait until Friday to see the availability of star cornerback Patrick Peterson, who hurt his ankle in Sunday's game. Peterson has never missed a game in his five seasons.

With Peterson's status iffy, Arians said rookie J.J. Nelson could assume the duties of punt returner. Nelson opened the season in that role but lost the job to Peterson after dropping a punt in Week 2.

The Cardinals did get some positive news on the injury front. Wide receiver Michael Floyd, who sat out last week with a hamstring injury, returned to practice along with guard Jonathan Cooper.