Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerbacks Kei'Trel Clark, Garrett Williams move into starting lineup
The Arizona Cardinals' rookie class, according to the team's Week 13 information packet, has combined for 99 games played, 42 starts, four touchdowns, 43 receptions, 527 receiving yards, 210 rushing yards, 134 tackles, 7 ½ sacks, 13 tackles for loss, eight passes broken up and one interception.
All of that is a long-ish way of saying that the Cardinals rookies are getting their opportunity to make an impact as the team tries to find small victories in a 2-10 season and look ahead to the future of its roster.
Last Sunday was a case in point. The starting cornerbacks were three rookies — Kei'Trel Clark, Garrett Williams and Star Thomas V.
Thomas has been dealing with an ankle injury from last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams and didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday. But even the player who replaced him Sunday is a rookie, Divaad Wilson.
Clark and Williams top the depth chart at the two cornerback positions heading into Sunday's game at Pittsburgh. Clark is a starter again after five games either as a reserve or not playing at all, and Williams has seized the other spot with four starts in the past five games.
Williams served as the nickel, or extra defensive back last week. With Thomas and Antonio Hamilton Sr. out this week due to injury, he could be the base defense cornerback against the Steelers.
"Feel really good about where he's at. He's, you know, he's got things he knows he wants to get better at or plays he wanted back from that game," Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said of Williams. "But he's done a really good job, prepares like no other honestly. So it's no surprise that he's able to, you know, without having a offseason as a rookie or a training camp and then kind of get thrown in the fire in the middle of the year. Not only does he have the physical tools to play that spot, but he's ahead of the game mentally. And it's because of his preparation process."
Williams said that while he was unable to play earlier this season due to injury rehab, he made sure to take good notes in position meetings, ask any and every question no matter what it was to his coaches and watch a lot of film, even if he wasn't in the game.
Preview: Arizona Cardinals seek 3rd win of season as team takes on Pittsburgh Steelers
"I've got a lot of things I got to work on. But I think my biggest thing is just preparation. And even when I wasn't playing, I'm taking the best notes I could in prep, ... even though I'm not playing and practicing just watching film, imagine myself being in those positions. So that when I did come back, I just wanted to give myself at least a chance to be able to play somewhat good," Williams said. "I've come from college, so I didn't really know what to expect. So my big thing was just let me just give myself the best chance I know how to at least be able to hold my own out there."
The preparation showed up right away. Williams had an interception in his first career NFL game, in October at Seattle.
Clark seized a starting spot in Week 1 after a good preseason. He started five of the Cardinals' first six games, but inconsistent play landed him on the bench. Last Sunday, Clark was back in the starting lineup after his efforts in practice elevated him to that spot.
"The main thing is I had to get back to the drawing board, I had to really assess myself, really go back and look myself in the mirror and watch extra tape on myself, study my opponent as well because you've got to assess yourself first, so you can be the best you out there on the field," Clark said. "So and then just going out there on the field and just being consistent in practice every single day. Just trying to chip away, chip away, chip away and not make the same mistakes that I've made before."
Clark ended up as the Cardinals' co-leader in tackles from the Rams game, joining Budda Baker with six.
"I wouldn't be right here right now if I didn't go through some adversity. I've been through a lot of adversity in my life," Clark said. "When I came in the doors, things were pretty good. You know, I got to see the glitz and glamour sometimes. But then when I got benched, I got to see the harsh side of this, too, fast. So I got to see the good. And I got to see the not so good. Just like that. And I'm grateful for it. I wouldn't take it back because it made me a better player and a person as well."
Rallis said Clark's tackling ability jumped out to him when reviewing film of the Rams game.
"That's not something you always are looking for in corner play. But it just so happened, a lot of balls went to the flat on him or he had screens his way. And he tackled extremely well. I thought his off-technique was good," Rallis said. "He was sticky on some cut splits, where they're trying to get you off and get some access. And I thought he was in and out of his breaks really well. And you saw it, no surprise, because he was showing that stuff throughout practice leading up to that point."
Williams, Clark and potentially Divaad Wilson as the top corners this week against the Steelers leaves Marco Wilson, the most experienced cornerback, without a defined role after he lost his starting job last week. But Marco Wilson might be needed with the Cardinals down two cornerbacks.
Roster moves
The Cardinals on Saturday signed wide receiver Dan Chisena to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated defensive lineman Phil Hoskins and cornerback Divaad Wilson to the active roster from the practice squad as standard elevations.
Additionally, receiver Zach Pascal has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game following the birth of his child.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerbacks making strides
