NFC Notes: Cardinals, Giants, Lions

Cardinals

The Cardinals may need another impact receiver with WR Christian Kirk ruled out for Sunday’s game. Veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald believes second-year WR KeeSean Johnson could be the answer and is excited to see him get an opportunity.

“First, we’re just happy to have him back healthy,” Fitzgerald said, via Howard Balzer of SI. “We missed him just as much as he missed us. He had a great camp. He’s worked extremely hard this offseason. And to be able to have him back out there; he’s a really knowledgeable, smart player and is a great route runner. You can never have enough talent on the field at one time and having him back and playing at a fast pace, his legs look great; he’s fresh. I’m looking forward to him having a big day on Sunday.”

Giants

Giants’ RB Wayne Gallman knows that with RB Saquon Barkley injured, it could be his last chance to prove himself in New York, despite the fact that the team has signed veteran RB Devonta Freeman. Gallman also says he knows this group will have a committee approach and isn’t worried about making individual goals from himself.

“I’m not making goals,” Gallman said, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “I’m going in trusting the line, trusting the offense and trusting what we’ve done in practice. That’s all I can do. If you put in hard work, the results will come. I just shifted my focus to what’s more important and that’s preparing myself to be ready for anything, whether that’s starting or staying in a backup role. There’s really not much I can do except controlling what I can control. I look at it as another opportunity to learn from a vet. Devonta has been in this league for a long time and I used to watch him all the time in the good old Clemson-Florida State rivalry. We’re all in it as a group. My drive is to get better each day and be the best Wayne. There’s so much to the league that you can only understand so much. Everything will work out the way it should be. I feel like I can make an impact with anything given. You don’t specifically try to get better in one area. You try to get better in all areas. I’m willing to do whatever I can to contribute to the Giants. With T-Mac, I don’t think you go up to the coach and ask. It’s more what you earn and what’s in the game plan.”

Lions

Lions’ WR Kenny Golladay is hoping to make his season debut on Sunday when Detroit takes on the Cardinals, despite not being fully recovered. He had previously opted to take the first two weeks to heal from a hamstring injury as he seeks a new contract with the team.

“God willing, I’m going to try everything in my power to be out there with the guys,” Golladay said, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. “Me missing a couple of games to try and be back hopefully for Week Three. That’s better than me missing six games.”

• Lions have downgraded CB Desmond Trufant (hamstring) to out for Week 3’s game against the Cardinals. (Tim Twentyman)