LA Rams will not face Cardinals WR Kirk nor S Banjo

In LA Rams News: The Rams are in good company with a roster that is reeling. The Cardinals are dealing with loss of WR Kirk and S Banjo.

The LA Rams have been unable to keep the second wave of COVID-19 at bay, as the team now has two key starters on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the finale to the NFL regular season. The team has assigned both WR Cooper Kupp and DL Michael Brockers to the teams reserve COVID-19 list, and both players will be sorely missed in the Sunday matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals have been dealing with their own roster reshuffling, as the latest update became available today:

The Cardinals have placed wide receiver Christian Kirk on the reserve/COVID-19 list and he will miss Sunday’s game against the Rams after either testing positive for the virus of coming within close contact of someone who did. Potential huge loss for the Cardinals.
— Bob McManaman (@azbobbymac) January 2, 2021

The Arizona Cardinals team page added additional information. There, the Cardinals reported placing WR Kirk on Reserve/COVID-19 list. The teams also reported elevating defensive lineman Stacy McGee from their practice squad, as well as bring up CB Jace Whittaker and LB Terrance Smith from the practice squad as COVID replacements

Cards Kirk ineffective in first meeting

The Cardinals wide receiver was largely ineffective in the first meeting, catching just one of three passes thrown his way for just two yards. Long time veteran Larry Fitgerald was inactive for the Cardinals in the first matchup, but will be available for this game. Kirk is the Cardinals second leading receiver, with 621 yards and six touchdowns this season. With that in mind, he likely was part of Arizona’s offensive game plan for this one.

Perhaps more significant in the Cardinals placing safety Chris Banjo on the reserve COVID-19 list earlier in the week. In the first game, Banjo had 10 tackles, nine of them solo. He is the perfect compliment to Budda Baker, who must now coordinate defensive coverage with the original starter Jalen Thompson, who spent much of the season on injured reserve due to an ankle injury struggle to reclaim playing time from a rather effective Banjo.

Next. 7 players who face playing their last game for the LA Rams. dark

The Rams must overcome whatever the Arizona Cardinals throw at them. With the absence of Kirk and Banjo, that may be an easier task.

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