Cardinals' Fitzgerald back in practice
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hopes to play Sunday after completing a full practice Thursday.
Fitzgerald sustained a concussion late in the Cardinals' 37-34 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, but he is optimistic about returning to the lineup for this Sunday's road game against the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks.
"This is my first (concussion), uncharted territory for me," Fitzgerald said, according to the team's website. "It's a serious issue, but I want to be out there and play. I will do everything I can to protect myself and my brain, but this is football, a tough sport played by tough men. It's my job."
Fitzgerald will be examined Friday by a outside neurologist, per NFL rules, and the doctor will determine whether the star receiver will be allowed to play Sunday.
"I'm feeling good," Fitzgerald said, according to ESPN.com. "I'm making progress, not having any setbacks, anything that would make me feel I wouldn't be able to go Sunday. I'm fully functioning."
Fitzgerald even participated in drills Thursday with the "hand unit," the group charged with covering onside kicks. He was injured while serving on that unit last week.
"It's a privilege to be on the hands team," said Fitzgerald, who is riding a streak of 104 consecutive games played, including the postseason. "That's an honor to go out there and close the game out. When you go out there, it's like Mariano Rivera coming out on the mound. You're out there to close it out. That's what our job is."
The Cardinals, one game out of a playoff position, got some more good news Thursday ahead of their critical game against the Seahawks. Quarterback Carson Palmer, who sat out Wednesday's practice due to a high ankle sprain, was back practicing Thursday.
Palmer said he would be ready to play Sunday.
