Cardinals' A.J. Green: ‘I left 1,000 yards on the field’ last season
A.J. Green is going all-out for Arizona this year after admitting that he “left 1,000 yards on the field" last season.JUNE 11
To profit from Hopkins' ban Green should benefit from DeAndre Hopkins' six-game suspension to begin the 2022 season, Jess Root of USA Today reports.
Impact Since this year's NFL Draft kicked off last Thursday, the state of the Cardinals' receiving corps has changed, with the team acquiring Marquise Brown from the Ravens and the subsequent announcement of Hopkins' suspension Monday. Without Hopkins, Brown and Green should serve as Arizona's primary outside receivers, while second-year pro Rondale Moore and veteran tight end Zach Ertz man the slot. In his age-33 season last year, Green was relatively healthy for a second consecutive campaign, hauling in 54 of 92 passes for 848 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games.
MAY 5 • ROTOWIRE
Cards' Hopkins suspended 6 games for violating PED policy
Arizona Cardinals three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substancesMAY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
WR A.J. Green returns to Arizona Cardinals on 1-year deal
Receiver AAPRIL 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back in Arizona The Cardinals and Green agreed to a one-year contract Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Impact A perennial Pro Bowler for the first seven years of his career, the 2011 first-round pick has entered a different phase since sitting out 2019 due to injury. The 2021 campaign marked Green's first with the Cardinals, and he fared well with 54 catches (on 92 targets) for 848 yards and three touchdowns in 16 contests. As he heads into his age-34 season, he'll again play second fiddle to DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona's passing game, likely vying for looks from Kyler Murray with Rondale Moore and potentially another offseason addition to the receiving corps.
APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE
Fair production in desert Green recorded 54 catches on 92 targets for 848 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games during the 2021 season.
Impact In 2020, Green logged an injury-free campaign for the first time since 2017 en route to a 47-523-2 line on 104 targets for the Bengals. He parlayed that into a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cardinals last March, and following the 2021 NFL Draft the team's receiving corps included DeAndre Hopkins, Green, Christian Kirk and rookie second-rounder Rondale Moore. The additions gave coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray the firepower they lacked in their first two years together, and Arizona was clicking on all cylinders until Hopkins hurt his hamstring in Week 8. Murray also sat out three games in the second half due to injury, and Green and company struggled with consistency the rest of the way. Green again will be an unrestricted free agent March 16, so it remains to be seen where the 11-year pro winds up next season.
JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE
Murray, Stafford seek first playoff wins when Cards visit LA
If Kyler Murray wants to understand just how important it is to seize the opportunity whenever a team reaches the NFL playoffs, the Arizona Cardinals star only needs to look at his...JANUARY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cardinals, Rams to meet in playoffs despite Week 18 losses
The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams will meet for the third time in the wild-card round on Monday after splitting two regular-season gamesJANUARY 14 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Draws nine targets Green caught four passes for 23 yards on nine targets against Seattle on Sunday.
Impact The Arizona passing game was disappointing against Seattle, and if there's a single greatest culprit it's arguably Green. His nine targets ranked second behind only Zach Ertz (10), yet his yardage total ranked fifth, including behind two running backs. Green has been serviceable at times in 2021 but has sometimes struggled with the finer points of wide receiver play. He'll need to find the old version of himself for the Cardinals to live up to their playoff ambitions.
JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Cardinals hitting the road after 38-30 loss to Seattle
The Arizona Cardinals will play their first playoff game in six years on the roadJANUARY 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cowboys have no one to blame but themselves for Arizona loss
If Sunday's loss to Arizona was a measuring-stick game for the Cowboys, they appear to be in trouble, Matt Mosley writes.JANUARY 3
Three grabs in Sunday's win Green caught three of six targets for 74 yards in Sunday's 25-22 win over the Cowboys.
Impact He very nearly had a 45-yard touchdown on the Cardinals' first possession, but Kyler Murray underthrew the ball, resulting in Green getting taken down at the three-yard line instead. The veteran wideout was mostly quiet after that, but he still wound up topping 60 yards for the fourth time in the last six games. Green will look to wrap up the regular season on a high note in Week 18 against the Seahawks.
JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE
Cards hold off Cowboys 25-22 in matchup of playoff teams
Kyler Murray threw two touchdown passes to Antoine Wesley and the Arizona Cardinals held on to beat the Dallas Cowboys 25-22 in a matchup of playoff-bound teamsJANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Musters one catch Saturday Green had one catch (on three targets) for 33 yards during Saturday's 22-16 loss to the Colts.
Impact Green's only play of substance Week 16 came on 3rd-and-10 with 13:10 remaining and the Cardinals trailing, 15-13. The 33-yard connection with Kyler Murray kept a key drive alive, but it ultimately ended with a 41-yard field-goal attempt from Matt Prater that hit the right upright and fell no good. Green hasn't done much in the first two games without DeAndre Hopkins (knee), who's out until late January at the earliest, with a 5-97-0 line on 11 targets during that stretch. Murray more so is looking in the direction of Zach Ertz (24 targets) and Christian Kirk (21), making Green the third option, at best, in Arizona's passing attack at the moment.
DECEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Makes four catches Week 15 Green caught four of eight targets for 64 yards during Sunday's 30-12 loss at Detroit.
Impact Green was targeted just once before halftime and didn't make his first catch until the midpoint of the third quarter, so his final results in the box score are respectable enough. He also earned a 75 percent snap share in the first contest since DeAndre Hopkins (knee) was ruled out for the rest of the regular season, which marked his biggest workload since Week 8. Green will aim for a productive performance Saturday against a Colts defense that has allowed the third-most total touchdowns (18) to wide receivers this season.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Without D-Hop, Arizona's offense must adjust in stretch run
The Arizona Cardinals will try to clinch a spot in the postseason for the first time in six years without their best receiver when they travel to face the Detroit Lions on SundayDECEMBER 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFC-West leading Cardinals aim for 8-0 road mark at Detroit
The NFC-West leading Arizona Cardinals are a win away from earning a spot in the playoffs for the first time in six yearsDECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cardinals stumble at home again in 30-23 loss to Rams
Maybe the Arizona Cardinals should have stayed on the roadDECEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tops 100 yards Green caught seven of 10 targets for 102 yards in Monday night's 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Impact Green was excellent making plays along the sideline, particularly on Arizona's touchdown drive to begin the fourth quarter. He not only got open for an impressive 23-yard connection from Kyler Murray on a crucial, third-down scramble drill, but Green shortly after went for 36 yards into the red zone, enabling the Cardinals to score on their next play. Overall, the veteran finished with his most catches and targets this season, leading the team in receiving yards while topping the century mark for the second time this term as well.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Limited to one catch Green secured his only target for 14 yards in the Cardinals' 33-22 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Impact The veteran wideout's sparse production wasn't necessarily an indictment on him, considering Kyler Murray threw only 15 times overall in his return from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury. Green has a pair of one-catch tallies in his last three games, but he and the rest of the pass-catching corps figure to be a lot busier in a critical Week 14 home Monday night clash with the Rams.
DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Murray and D-Hop at Cards' practice, game status uncertain
Quarterback Kyler Murray and All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins were both at practice for the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday in a sign the team’s top two playmakers might be ready to...DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Draws seven targets Green caught four passes for 78 yards on seven targets against Seattle on Sunday.
Impact DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) was out once again, but rather than Green it was Zach Ertz (eight catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets) who carried the Arizona passing game Sunday. Green did his part, though, and provided the team's second-highest receiving yardage total while producing efficiently with his targets. It's possible that Green might have done more if Kyler Murray (ankle) had played, but with Colt McCoy at quarterback it might have made Ertz a bit more accessible as a target in the middle of the field. The Cardinals have a bye in Week 12, but Green should stay regularly involved as Arizona's lead right outside receiver against Chicago in Week 13.
NOVEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sparse performance in Week 10 Green gathered in one of five targets for four yards during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Panthers.
Impact Green caught his first target on the game's second play from scrimmage but otherwise was unable to connect with either Colt McCoy (pectoral) or Chris Streveler. After being sidelined in Week 9 due to the COVID-19 protocols, Green was working without Kyler Murray for the first time on the campaign due to the latter's sprained ankle. Green also earned a season-low 68 percent share of snaps, even with DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) sidelined as well. No matter the composition of the passing game this coming Sunday at Seattle, Green will look to get back on track against a Seahawks defense that has conceded 119 catches to wide receivers this season (13th most in the NFL).
NOVEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared to play Green (illness) has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Impact Green was placed on the injury report with an illness even after coming back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but he could have a big role Sunday with both DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) and Rondale Moore (concussion) listed as questionable. Of course, QB Kyler Murray (ankle) is also uncertain, potentially leaving Colt McCoy as the starter again. Green was out last week when McCoy and RB James Conner led the Cardinals to a 31-17 win over San Francisco. He'll be out there Sunday against the Panthers, facing coverage from talented veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson.
NOVEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Limited in return to practice Green (illness) was limited at Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Impact The Cardinals activated Green from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, paving the way for the wide receiver to miss just one game after testing positive for the virus last Wednesday. Having a cap on his reps in his return to practice seems to be standard operating procedure for the Cards, as tight end Demetrius Harris had the same limitations Wednesday after coming off the COVID list. Green will look to bump up to full Friday and enter the weekend without a designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers. If he does so, he could be Arizona's de facto No. 1 wide receiver with DeAndre Hopkins not yet practicing due to a hamstring injury.
NOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
