David Johnson – Noteworthy
RB David Johnson will be making his 10th career appearance in prime time and he’s been impressive in those games thus far. In his first nine prime-time appearances, Johnson accounted for 763 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 151 carries to go along with 32 receptions for 273 yards and a touchdown. Arizona went 7-1-1 in those games.
Justin Pugh – Noteworthy – Injury
RG Justin Pugh suffered a broken left hand in the Minnesota game but stands a good chance to play Thursday night against Denver after practicing on Tuesday with a protective glove on the hand. If he can’t play Thursday night, backup Daniel Munyer will get the call. Asked if Pugh can block with his sore hand, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said, “I believe so. He’s been practicing and doing a nice job with it, so we’ll see come Thursday. I believe he can do it.”
Kyle Friend – Noteworthy – Transaction
C Kyle Friend was signed by the Cardinals to their practice squad Tuesday (Oct. 16). He had been waived by the Panthers Sept. 1. Friend (6-2, 305) spent all of last season on Pittsburgh’s practice squad after previously playing his rookie season with the Jets practice squad in 2016. He entered the league with the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016 out of Temple.
Mike Iupati – Noteworthy – Injury
LG Mike Iupati missed practice on Tuesday with a back injury he suffered last Sunday against the Vikings. If he can’t play Thursday night against the Broncos, the starting job likely will go to John Wetzel, a swing tackle who also has seen time at guard a year ago. Iupati’s regular backup, newly-acquired Jeremy Vujnovich, suffered a hamstring injury upon replacing Iupati in the Vikings game and also missed practice on Tuesday. “We move guys around, whether it’s on scout team for looks on the defense or you rest certain guys. Not everyone takes every single snap in practice,” offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. “You always prepare for those things.”