The Arizona Cardinals offense struggled in last Sunday’s 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders and the absence of tight end Trey McBride can’t be overlooked.
McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 game against the Lions when cornerback Brian Branch led with his helmet on a tackle. Branch was fined $10,128 and also suffered a concussion. He began practicing during the ensuing week, but was then declared out of Detroit’s Monday night game against Seattle with what was said to be an illness.
McBride admitted to having a “a rough week” after the hit, but has now cleared the concussion protocol and head coach Jonathan Gannon said he’s “good to go” for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
Earlier the week, when asked how much the offense missed him, Gannon said, “He’s just a really good player out of the lineup. He does a lot for us in the run and pass game, so anytime you don’t have one of your better players out there, it hurts the unit. I thought guys responded the right way, but it’ll be good to get Trey back.”
Quarterback Kyler Murray said “it’s huge” that McBride will be play.
“I think we missed him last week,” Murray said. “Just having him out there, another playmaker, another guy that gets the job done no matter what. His confidence is going to continue to grow, so I’m definitely excited to have him back out there.”
One other note on Branch. We reported on Saturday that he was also fined another $10,128 in the game against the Cardinals for striking/kicking/kneeing a player thought to be tight end Tip Reiman on a 42-yard field goal by Matt Prater.
Reiman confirmed to Cards Wire that he was the victim. Branch was rushing on the attempt and Reiman, who was on the wing on left side of the line blocked him and pushed him. Then, well, after the play, Branch slapped Reiman in the head. There was no penalty on either of Branch’s infractions, but league review levied the fines.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
