Cardinals Hope for LT Mike Gandy's Return

The Arizona Cardinals offensive line has had its share of troubles this season. Left tackle Mike Gandy has received unwanted attention for mishaps along the way as well. But the Cardinals take pride in starting the same offensive line year after year. They think the consistency works...

The Cardinals maintain a shred of hope that left tackle Mike Gandy might be able to play again this year, even though he had surgery last Friday to repair a sports hernia.

Gandy has been troubled by the injury for several weeks, missing two games and leaving another early.

His replacement, Jeremy Bridges, has done a workmanlike job filling in. He played well against Jared Allen of the Vikings but struggled at times his next two appearances.

It appears that Bridges will be the starter the rest of the season, even though the Cardinals haven't placed Gandy on injured reserve.

The recovery time for such surgery is three to six weeks, so it's seems doubtful Gandy will be able to play again. The Cardinals have injuries elsewhere and might need the roster spot to bolster those.

They made a move Tuesday, waiving linebacker Ali Highsmith and signing safety Hamza Abdullah, a five-year veteran who was cut by the Browns after the preseason.

The Cardinals were down to three safeties after Matt Ware was placed on IR with a knee injury last week.

PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES

--QB Kurt Warner is a little beat up after 14 games, but he has no major injuries. Warner hasn't been sharp the last two weeks, however, as he's faced more pressure than usual.

--QB Matt Leinart played well in his last extended appearance and could start the final game of the year. The Cardinals finish against the Packers, who also could be their first-round playoff opponent. If that's the case, coach Ken Whisenhunt could decide to rest starter Kurt Warner.

--RB Beanie Wells has gained 189 yards on 32 carries in the last two games as he seems to be assuming the featured back role over Tim Hightower.

--RB Tim Hightower has carried just 14 times over the past two games, an indication Beanie Wells has become the team's featured back. Wells has 32 carries over that same period.

--RB Jason Wright plays a limited role when the team goes to its two-back sets in passing situations. He does catch some passes near the goal line.

--WR Larry Fitzgerald is healthy and has been productive on the field. He has 11 touchdown catches, one short of his career high.

--WR Anquan Boldin has played well in the last two months, a sign he is fully healthy. Boldin needs 125 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the fifth time in seven years.

--WR Steve Breaston has not been a focal point of the offense as the club has moved to more two-tight-end sets. Breaston, however, is healthy and could be a wild card down the stretch.

--WR Early Doucet has passed Jerheme Urban for the No. 4 job. Doucet won't get the ball much, however.

--TE Ben Patrick continues to be the team's most effective tight end, especially in the red zone. Patrick is a decent blocker and an above-average tight end.

--TE Anthony Becht is the best blocking tight end on the club, but he's not a big part of the passing game.

--K Neil Rackers has been reliable this season, missing only one field goal, but he likely will miss another game or two with a torn groin muscle. The Cardinals hope he can return by the start of the playoffs.

--SS Adrian Wilson needs half a sack to become the 10th player in NFL history to have 20 sacks and 20 interceptions over his career. Wilson has 21 interceptions.

--DE Calais Campbell has six sacks in his first full season as a starter, but he still has improvement to make. Campbell had only one tackle last week against the Lions.

--LB Brandon Renkart, who had been on the Cardinals' practice squad since late October, was released.

--T Cliff Louis was signed to the Cardinals' practice squad. He had been with the Giants in the preseason.