NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

Cardinals TE Dan Arnold is glad that he is finally receiving recognition for the steps forward he has taken during the tumultuous offseason of 2020.

“It’s pretty cool, pretty awesome to have some recognition from the outside world,” Arnold said, via Howard Balzer of SI. “But I think one of the nice things about doing training camp here at State Farm (Stadium) is that we’re kind of locked into what we’re doing. It’s nice to have some of that recognition, but at the same time, we got to go in and practice each and every day, no matter what, and it doesn’t change anything about what we got to do on the practice field. So it’s nice to have that, but at the same time, you got to kind of tuck it away and be focused on which what you’re doing.”

• Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic notes Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson plans to defer contract negotiations to the offseason if he and the team can’t reach an agreement before the trade deadline. 
• Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had no hesitation when asked whether receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk could all have 1,000 yards receiving in 2020: “Yeah, for sure. I definitely think that’s possible.” (Josh Weinfuss)

49ers

• Matt Barrows of The Athletic says 49ers first-round rookie DT Javon Kinlaw currently has no nuance to his game and has been looking gassed in practice.
• Barrows adds with OL Daniel Brunskill spending time at center, rookie OL Colton McKivitz has taken first-team snaps at right guard and notes that the coaching staff is beginning to trust McKivitz.
• He also mentions OL Tom Compton would likely be getting all of the first-team snaps at right guard if McKivitz wasn’t doing something right.
• Dave Lombardi of The Athletic says McKivitz also filled in at center and tackle at times, and while he struggled during one-on-one drills early on, he’s improved in that regard.
• As for WR Brandon Aiyuk, Lombardi mentions it was unforeseen how quickly he would adapt to the offense given the compromised offseason.
• Aiyuk is currently week-to-week with a hamstring injury. (Nick Wagoner)
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said the team is confident in its current roster and has no interest in 49ers S Earl Thomas: “Nothing against Earl but there wasn’t interest. We have our team. We’re excited about our group.” (Cam Inman)
• 49ers DE Nick Bosa was diagnosed with a muscle strain after getting an MRI following complaints of soreness, per Shanahan. He’s also week-to-week. (Wagoner)
• 49ers S Johnathan Cyprien and WR Tavon Austin are both candidates for the practice squad given the NFL’s rule changes on eligibility this year. (Barrows)
• 49ers DT D.J. Jones cleared the concussion protocol and returned to practice. (Maiocco)

Rams

• Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic mentions that several rookies are on the rise for the Rams, including EDGE Terrell Lewis, K Lirim Hajrullahu, WR Van Jefferson, and S Jordan Fuller who has taken advantage of the injury to S Taylor Rapp.
• Rodrigue mentions that RB Cam Akers does not belong on the list of rising rookies as he is progressing exactly as expected, and has more opportunity to shine as RB Darrell Henderson recovers from a hamstring injury.
• Rookie K Sam Sloman seems to be on the outs, according to Rodrigue, as he continues to miss routine kicks during practice.
• The inside linebacker spots also seemed to be locked down as Rodrigue pegs Micah Kiser and Travin Howard as the likely starters.
• Rodrigue also didn’t feel the need to mention WR Cooper Kupp, WR Robert Woods or tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett. She says that all four players are performing exactly as expected and are looking good in practice.

Seahawks

One of the most remarkable stats about Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is Seattle’s star has never received a single vote for MVP despite being one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks since he entered the league eight years ago. But Wilson believes he’s got plenty of time to change that. He’s in his prime now and has set a goal of playing until he’s 46. 

“I just turned 31,” Wilson said via Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr. “I’m right at the beginning of my prime. I have so many more years left. At least 10-plus years left. I’m just getting started. That’s the fun part for me. My goal is to play another 15 years.”

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said DE Branden Jackson has returned to the team facility after being knocked unconscious by a hit during the team’s scrimmage this weekend. (John Boyle)
• Seahawks worked out DT Sam Renner on Monday. (Mike Jones)