National Football League

Cardinals' Campbell still waiting for call from Broncos' Thomas

Published Oct. 8, 2014 7:07 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is still waiting to hear from Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas.

"One of my teammates said he talked to him after the game and said he wanted to send a message, but he could get my number if he wanted to," Campbell said Wednesday in the Cardinals locker room. "Never before have I been blocked like that. I don't think it was a great football play but it's over and done with, and I'd like to move past it."

Campbell suffered an MCL strain in Sunday's game when Thomas chop-blocked him with tackle Ryan Clady luring Campbell in. ESPN reported that the NFL fined Thomas $8,268, the maximum fine allowable under the CBA for a first-time offender on an illegal block. Campbell was grateful the NFL did something.

"Hopefully he won't do it any more," Campbell said. "It's frustrating to get hurt in a situation that could have been avoided."

On Monday, coach Bruce Arians said it was possible Campbell could play this week, but when posed with that possibility, Campbell laughed.

"It's feeling OK; getting better each day," said Campbell, who is expected to miss one to three weeks. "But it's something that is probably going to nag all year."

With defensive players dropping like flies, Sunday's game will feature more young faces in the starting lineup.

Outside linebacker Alex Okafor will replace Matt Shaughnessy (knee, IR-designated for return list) in the starting lineup, while defensive end Kareem Martin will see a lot of snaps in place of Campbell, although Arians has not named a starter there and will likely rely on a rotation.

"The biggest thing is to seize the opportunity every rep I'm in; just show them I deserve to be out there," said Martin, a third-round pick this year who is known more for his pass-rushing skills. "I'm still getting a feel for run defense. You obviously have to be able to play both pass and run in this league, but I'm starting to get more of a feel for the offensive side and the blocking schemes. Once I get that down and stop thinking instead of reacting, it will all come together."

Okafor got his feet wet for the first time last week when he returned from a thigh injury that had sidelined him for the first three games. It was just the second game he has played in the NFL. He made his NFL debut in Week 3 last season against the Saints and promptly tore a biceps tendon.

"I felt like I got over that hump in the last game," he said of the thigh injury. "That game was about feeling it out, and I felt good coming out of it, so I'm as close to 100 percent as I can be during the season."

Like Martin, Okafor is also known more for his pass-rushing skills. But like Martin, he will need to be stout against the run. Campbell and Shaughnessy were two of the Cardinals' best run defenders.

"He's big enough and strong enough to play the point of attack," Arians said of Okafor. "He now has a year and a half standing up, which is hard when you have your hand in the dirt your whole college career and all of a sudden you're standing up and your sight lines and everything are different."

Punter Dave Zastudil was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday with a groin injury that has lingered all season. Arians said he will stick around to tutor Drew Butler, his replacement, on how to drop those dimes inside the 10-yard line with regularity.

"He's the best in the world at stopping that ball," Arians said. "He hits a pitching wedge and every time it bites."

With Zastudil, Campbell and Palmer all out, the Cardinals are without three of the four captains they selected at the start of the season.

Zastudil downed 41 punts inside the 10-yard line the past three seasons. 

At Wednesday's practice, cornerback Justin Bethel (shoulder), running back Andre Ellington (foot), quarterback Palmer (shoulder), cornerback Patrick Peterson (ankle) and quarterback Drew Stanton (concussion) were limited.

Defensive end Calais Campbell (knee), linebacker Glenn Carson (ankle), right guard Paul Fanaika (ankle/calf and tight end Troy Niklas (ankle) did not practice.

For the Redskins, quarterback Robert Griffin II (ankle) is out. Safety Ryan Clark (ankle), linebacker Brian Orakpo (ankle), cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring), linebacker Perry Riley (knee), and tackle Trent Williams (knee) did not practice. Tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring) was limited.

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