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CARSON, Calif. – Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was one of the few bright spots for the Cardinals on Sunday for multiple reasons.

First, he played, something he hadn’t done in November.

Second, he caused considerable problems for the Chargers, finishing with eight tackles, including four for losses and 2½ sacks.

“I thought he had his best game all year,” coach Steve Wilks said. “Did some great things.”

In at least one way, Nkemdiche’s performance on Sunday was frustrating for the Cardinals. It showed how talented he is when he plays. But it also highlighted just how many games he’s missed since being taken in the first round in 2016: 18.

“I think everybody knows what Robert is capable of, and I think that’s the reason why he was drafted the way he was drafted,” said teammate Corey Peters. “But we need to see consistency from him. I think it was a great start today. We got a lot more games, so hopefully he’ll continue to play that well.”

SOMERS: Robert Nkemdiche has proven Cardinals can’t rely on him

Nkemdiche has a unique personality and many interests outside of football. As a player, he’s been hampered by ankle and calf injuries.

On Sunday, he vowed to “keep practice, getting better. Eat more pizza. Pepperoni is giving me fuel.”

The goal for Nkemdiche, as it has been for three years, is to become consistent.

“That’s what we’re looking for across the board,” Wilks said, “as individuals and as a team.”

Can’t turn the corner

It’s been a problem the Cardinals haven’t been able to permanently solve for years now and once again, it reached up and bit them in a big way during Sunday’s rout at the hands of the Chargers: They have yet to find a suitable cornerback who can play opposite Patrick Peterson.

They’ve tried several already this season, starting with Jamar Taylor and Bene Benwikere. Taylor wound up recently getting cut and Benwikere has found himself in and out of the lineup. On Sunday, the Cardinals tried going with newcomer Leonard Johnson, except he got burned often during a 28-0, second-quarter explosion by Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles offense.

Later, Arizona turned to another new veteran it picked up off the streets, David Amerson. Like Johnson – and Benwikere – Amerson got beat a few times as well.

“It’s a revolving door,” Wilks said, noting the team also activated Nebraska rookie Chris Jones, another newcomer. “Guys have to step up. That wasn’t great play out there. We made the switch there with Amerson, and we’ve got to continue to try to figure out exactly who is going to be opposite of (Peterson).”

Arians vs. Cardinals?

Former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said a month ago that he would consider a return to coaching in the NFL under the right conditions and hinted that the perfect place for him might be the Cleveland Browns.

Well, the head-coaching job in Cleveland became available when the Browns fired Hue Jackson, and Arians told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday that only one team could lure him out of retirement and out of the CBS broadcast booth.

“I would listen to the Browns. And only them,” Arians, the Browns’ offensive coordinator from 2001-2003, told Rapoport.

If it happens and the Browns were to hire Arians, Cardinals fans would get a chance to welcome their former coach back to the Valley in 2019 as the Cardinals are scheduled to host the Browns with one of their eight home games next season.

“I’ve always loved Cleveland,” Arians said. “The fans, shoot, one of the best groups in the league and when I called their game, I got that feeling about them.”

Community awareness

In warmups, Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen wore a T-shirt promoting charities that are helping first responders and victims dealing with several fires in Southern California.

Rosen, who is from Manhattan Beach, Calif., wore a shirt that had “LAFD” (Los Angeles Fire Department) on the front. On the back was information on how to donate to the Red Cross to help wildfire victims. Text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

Kanoff gets promoted

With at least one NFL team sniffing around and possibly being interested in signing third-string rookie quarterback Charles Kanoff off the Cardinals’ practice roster, the Cardinals on Saturday signed Kanoff to their 53-man active roster to prevent losing him.

To fit Kanoff on the 53, the Cardinals released wide receiver Jalen Tolliver, whom they had just promoted from their practice squad four days earlier.

Kanoff signed with the team in May as an undrafted free agent out of Princeton, where he set career school records for passing yards (7,510) and completions (655) and the single-season record for passing touchdowns last season (29).

READ MORE

  • Cardinals carved up by Chargers QB Philip Rivers in latest embarrassment
  • It’s official: The Cardinals have finally quit on coach Steve Wilks
  • Instant replay: Cardinals blown out as Philip Rivers, Chargers roll

 

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