Arizona Cardinals' K'Von Wallace effectively filling void for team at safety
The Arizona Cardinals aren't loaded with recognizable names on defense, even with a player bearing a name as unique as K'Von.
As in safety K'Von Wallace, who has quietly grabbed hold of a starting spot and held it. Wallace has played every defensive snap for the Cardinals in five straight games, taking full advantage of his chance to play extensively with Budda Baker out the past five weeks.
Wallace joined the Cardinals on Aug. 30, released the day before by the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis knew Wallace's work from when all three were in Philadelphia, and it clearly didn't take Wallace long to grasp the Cardinals' defensive scheme.
"I always plan on playing every game. If you prepare that way, you won't be surprised when your number's called," Wallace said this week. "I'm always ready. My whole four years of my career, I've always been a guy who's always prepared as a starter. Always prepare to play every snap, every game. And being here is a blessing, to be on a team that allows you to go out there and play football games, go out there and be your best. I'm definitely grateful, I feel like ultimately, too, the more opportunities you get, the better you can play."
Wallace was a fourth-round draft pick by the Eagles out of Clemson in 2020. He split time between playing defense and special teams there, but has already surpassed his previous season high for tackles in just six games with the Cardinals.
"I spent a lot of money on my body," Wallace admitted, adding that he feels healthier than at any other point in his career.
"Me and K'Von go back the past couple of years, but K'Von's playing at a high level," Rallis said. "He knows there's things that he needs to continue to improve on, but right now he's done a good job in there and we feel like he gives us a good chance to go execute at a high level and win games."
Wallace isn't new to the Phoenix area, where he has trained in previous offseasons. He can become a free agent in the offseason but is far from concerned about a contract extension, even though he's played so much already.
"You don't worry about that. You worry about the task at hand. We're about Week 7. And you worry about winning versus Seattle. That's my main goal," Wallace said. "I feel like if I prepare that way, all the other stuff is a bonus, all the other stuff as a blessing. And it'll come, as long as I keep on doing what I've got to do for my team, all that stuff will happen."
Return of Murray, Baker adds ‘juice’
Coach Jonathan Gannon said quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) and safety Budda Baker (hamstring) have both looked good since returning to the practice field on Wednesday and he noted that their participation has brought an extra jolt to practice.
“Two good players, so it was fun to see those guys out there,” he said. “How they practice, they’re obviously high performers, high production guys, but the intensity of practice probably ratcheted up just a touch there with the quarterback back there and then Budda out there. Good to have those guys back and I think they definitely add an element of juice to practice.”
Murray is still considered to be at least a couple of weeks from playing in a game, whereas Baker told reporters on Thursday he hopes to play Sunday at the Seahawks in his home state.
“He looked good,” Gannon said Friday. “We’ll see how he goes today, but he’s done a good job the last two days.”
More Cardinals: Budda Baker hopes to be 'game-time decision' at Seahawks
Waiting on Williams
Rookie cornerback Garrett Williams (knee) continues to make progress in practice since being designated to return from the Non-Football Injury list two weeks ago. There’s a chance he could be activated to the roster soon.
“We’ll see how it goes (Friday),” Gannon said. “He’s had a good couple weeks here and he’s improving every day.”
Injury report
The Cardinals have ruled out four players for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks: starting left guard Elijah Wilkinson (neck), safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring), cornerback Antonio Hamilton (groin) and quarterback Kyler Murray (knee), who practiced for a third straight day on Friday but once again was limited.
Listed as questionable are safety Budda Baker (hamstring), cornerbacks Kei’Trel Clark (hamstring) and Williams, receiver Zach Pascal (neck), defensive lineman Kevin Strong (calf) and linebacker Josh Woods (back), who showed up on the injury report Friday and was limited.
For the Seahawks, receiver DK Metcalf (ribs/hip), center Evan Brown (hip), running back Zach Charbonnet (hamstring), guard Phil Haynes (calf) and tackle Jake Curhan (ankle) are listed as questionable.
Roster moves
The Cardinals on Friday re-signed running back Tony Jones Jr. to the practice squad and released quarterback Jeff Driskell from the practice squad.
Scouting report: Cardinals to take on Seattle Seahawks in NFC West clash
Heritage Program
For the second straight season, the Cardinals are participating in the NFL Heritage Program that allows players from across the league to wear an international flag decal alongside the American flag decal on their helmets in Weeks 7 and 8 of the 2023 season to celebrate players and coaching staff's heritage and cultural backgrounds.
There are 18 Cardinals players representing 14 different countries and territories.
Those participating include Will Hernandez (Mexico), Kyler Murray (South Korea), Michael Wilson (New Zealand, Jamaica), Leki Fotu (Tonga), Hjalte Froholdt (Denmark), Emari Demercado and Dennis Daley (Jamaica), Victor Dimukeje, BJ Ojulari and Owen Pappoe (Nigeria), Jesse Luketa (Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo), Zach Pascal (Grenada), Marco Wilson (Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago), Trystan Colon, Bobby Price and Elijah Wilkinson (Puerto Rico), Keith Ismael (American Samoa) and Bernhard Seikovits (Austria).
Participating Cardinals players began wearing their new international flag decals on their helmets at practice this week.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: K'Von Wallace quietly putting in good season at safety for Cardinals
