NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Darren Urban of the team website writes that Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake is expected to test the market this year. 
• Urban points out G J.R. Sweezy lost his starting spot and is unlikely to return in 2021. 
• Cardinals OLB Haason Reddick‘s breakout season may have priced him out of Arizona but Urban notes they could bring back OLB Markus Golden.
• Urban adds Cardinals LB De’Vondre Campbell could move on with first-round LB Isaiah Simmons set for a bigger role.  
• Urban thinks the market will dictate if Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson is back. 
• Cardinals WR coach David Raih was fired by the team Thursday. (Jason La Canfora)
• Cardinals passing game coordinator Tom Clements also retired and the team promoted Cam Turner to QB coach. (Dennis Dodds)

49ers

• According to Cam Inman of the Mercury News, the 49ers and assistant OL coach Katie Sowers are expected to part ways. 

Rams

The big question for the Ras heading into their first-round playoff game against the Seahawks is who will start at quarterback. Jared Goff is still recovering from a thumb injury he suffered in Week 16 against Seattle while backup John Wolford‘s mobility was key in Los Angeles’ pivotal Week 17 win against the Cardinals. The Rams are understandably keeping their decision under wraps but Goff was able to practice and reportedly looked okay. 

“He looked pretty good. He was slinging the ball pretty well,” Rams WR Robert Woods said via Pro Football Talk. “From what I saw, nice spiral with it, being able to deliver the ball early on. But he looked good throwing it, from what I saw.”

Goff’s resume is obviously much more extensive than Wolford’s and he’s a much more capable passer — when healthy. But Wolford’s legs present an intriguing wrinkle that could be an X-factor in a knockout game against a division rival. 

“Little things like that, I think just extending the plays, allowing us to even maybe rip away or turn the opposite way — a lot of teams haven’t seen us kind of move like that,” Woods said. “So I guess that’s something new and that draws some penalties, drawing some gaps for John to even run ins scramble drills and really just being able to utilize what he does.”

• Lindsey Thiry of ESPN writes that Goff appeared to practice without any limitations on Wednesday after undergoing thumb surgery just 10 days prior. 
• Rams HC Sean McVay said Goff is still considered day-to-day but was pleased with how the quarterback performed in Wednesday’s practice. (Omar Ruiz)
• Although McVay believes Rams OT Joseph Noteboom has a “bright future,” he added that OT Andrew Whitworth will start Saturday’s Wildcard game if able. (Thiry) 

Seahawks

Seahawks DC Ken Norton Jr. said DE Darrell Taylor participating in his first NFL practice on Tuesday was “step one” for the rookie after spending the entire season on the Non-Football Injury list due to a leg injury sustained in college. 

“We’re just taking steps right now, just one step at a time, just keep him out here day after day and we’re happy with that and we’ll see where it goes,” said Norton, via Brady Henderson. 

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the Lions are a little leery that they’re being used as contract leverage by Seahawks GM John Schneider.