National Football League

Kolb expected to play in next game

Published Aug. 7, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt calls Kevin Kolb's injury minor and expects the quarterback to play in Friday's preseason game against Kansas City.

Kolb left Sunday's Hall of Fame game with bruised ribs and was limited in practice Tuesday.

''He's still a little sore,'' Whisenhunt said, ''but I don't anticipate there being any problems as we progress through the week. He may be limited this afternoon, but I certainly think as the week progresses he'll be fine and he'll play.''

Kolb is locked in a tight battle with John Skelton for the starting job. He started but was intercepted on his first throw in Sunday's 17-10 loss to New Orleans. His lone completion came on his final throw, the first play of his third series, and the play on which he was injured. Against New Orleans, Kolb completed 1 of 4 passes for four yards. Skelton was 4 of 6 for 32 yards.

The Cardinals worked out jointly with the Chiefs on Tuesday at Kansas City's practice facility at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph's. They chose to go to Missouri rather than travel all the way from Canton, Ohio, to Arizona, then back to Kansas City for a game just five days later.

Skelton will start against the Chiefs, a decision that was made before Kolb was hurt.

The Cardinals also activated running back Beanie Wells from the physically unable to perform list prior to Tuesday's practice. Like Kolb, Wells participated in the walk-through portion of practice but did not take part in any drills.

Coming off his first 1,000-yard season, the fourth-year pro from Ohio State has not practiced while recovering from surgery on his right knee.

Whisenhunt said Wells probably won't play against Kansas City.

''We're working him back in,'' Whisenhunt said. ''I think it's important he gets back into the flow of the walkthroughs. That's the reason he's off of PUP now. We feel like he's good now, but we're going to be conservative working him back in.''