Scouting Report: Cardinals visit Steelers in NFL Week 13

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on December 1, 2023

Steel City Underground will provide fans in Steelers Nation a pre-game scouting report of each of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ opponents during each week of the 2023 NFL regular season, comprised of items from top storylines and insights.

In Week 12 of the 2023 NFL regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) will host the Arizona Cardinals (2-10) for the first of a two-game home stand at Acrisure Stadium. We look at the top news and conversations surrounding the Cardinals ahead of kickoff.

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Young team with growing pains

Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, the Cardinals started six rookie players; three of them cornerbacks. Those players: corners Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, and Kei’Trel Clark, tight end Elijah Higgins, offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., and defensive end Dante Stills.

“Guys are improving and like we talk about every week, we’re going to go into it with, ‘Who is ready to play and who can help us win this game?’ That’s where roles change week to week and I think you see that in some of the stuff we are doing.” – Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis

The Cardinals have struggled to put wins together, as illustrated by their win-loss record, but they have talent that is continuing to grow despite the pain. They have a tough test against Pittsburgh, on the road, but their own division hasn’t been an easy one to navigate.

Doesn't tell the entire story of the facelift Monti Ossenfort has given the Arizona Cardinals, but only 21 of the origanl, 2022 53-man roster remain with the organization.

Six more are expected to be unrestricted free agents after the season. pic.twitter.com/rUpOzkL3w5

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) November 30, 2023

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Buzz about McBride

Tight end Tre McBride has stepped into to his role this season and just recently set a single-game franchise mark for Arizona in receiving yards that had stood since Rob Awalt did so in 1989: go over 100 yards. That may not seem like a major accomplishment to many, but his production has given the struggling Cardinals a boost offensively.

Zach Ertz was released from the team this week. The veteran had suffered a quad and groin injury that opened the door for McBride on the starting lineup, not only as a receiving target but to also set up blocks for quarterback Kyler Murray.

https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1728887728564261271?t=rN6q4QswXMVFLMVAChaaDg&s=19

McBride only needs nine more receptions this season to break the franchise’s record for catches in a single season by a tight end. Whether those will come against the Steelers or not remains to be seen as McBride popped up on the injury report Wednesday.

The Cardinals haven’t focused their efforts offensively on tight ends since moving to Arizona, but McBride has found a way to renew some of that as the Cardinals continue to attempt to be competitive.

https://twitter.com/AZCardsInsiders/status/1730003664532877798?t=tn2dyFdZJPA6bwLjNvQa3Q&s=19

Related content:

The 5: Things to watch for from Steelers in NFL Week 13 against the Cardinals

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Injuries

As of Thursday afternoon, the Cardinals listed the following players on their official injury report:

WR Marquise Brown (Heel, DNP, DNP)
CB Antonio Hamilton (Groin, DNP, DNP)
TE Tre McBride (Groin, DNP, LP)
CB Starling Thomas V (Ankle, DNP, DNP)
FS Jalen Thompson (Ribs, DNP, LP)
WR Michael Wilson (Shoulder, DNP, DNP)
SS Joey Blount (Knee, LP, LP)
DT Kevin Strong (Knee, LP, LP)
OT Elijah Wilkinson (Neck, LP, LP)

Receiver Zach Pascal was given non-injury related time away from practice.

Note: The above list indicates player, injury, and practice participation on Wednesday and Thursday; “DNP” designates that the player did not participate in practices, “LP” means the player was limited, “FP” means the player was a full-go.