NFC West Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Per Darren Urban, Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury says G Justin Pugh will be out a couple weeks with a shoulder injury: “Shouldn’t be too long.”

49ers

• The Athletic’s Matt Barrows notes 49ers S Jaquiski Tartt is still in the lead at strong safety, while Tarvarius Moore seems to have surpassed Adrian Colbert for the No. 2 free safety spot. 
• Barrows mentions DL Kentavius Street is probably one of the final defensive linemen to make the roster, but he should be important to the 49ers plans after this year since Arik Armstead, Sheldon Day and Ronald Blair will all be free agents following 2019.

Rams

Rams WR Cooper Kupp took another major step in his recovery from a torn ACL, participating in joint practices against the Chargers over the weekend. Kupp said he took his first hit since his injury and felt fine. 

“A guy gives you a pop, you roll up, hit the ground and pop back up,” Kupp said via Jim Alexander of the L.A. Daily News. “Honestly, I didn’t really realize I’d gone down. And it’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, my first time really being hit and being on the ground.’ But it felt great. You get that first one out of the way, and you’re good.”

Kupp is well on his way to playing in Week 1 against the Panthers with no limitations despite tearing his ACL early last November. It’s good news for the Rams given the critical role he plays in their potent offense. 

“I think physically you don’t see any effects of the knee injury,” Rams HC Sean McVay said. “I think it’s more just getting your feet underneath you and playing the game. I think he’s gotten better every single day. I think yesterday was great for him to get out in a competitive setting. There (were) some physical hits, and he ended up getting down on the ground and ended up taking some shots, but it was good for him to kind of have that confidence and experience those things.”

Seahawks

Seahawks LB Barkevious Mingo is excited to rush the passer more in Seattle’s scheme. The former first-round pick is widely seen as a bust, but being asked to play outside of his strengths in past defenses has contributed to that perception. 

“That’s what I came into this league to do,” Mingo said, via the Seattle Times per Pro Football Talk. “I came into this league to rush the passer. And teams I’ve been on before, they’ve had a different idea of what they wanted me to do. And that’s OK. It’s their team. They can play their players how they want to play them. But looking back at it, I’m happy I get to go back and do it. I wish it would have been a little earlier in my career. But still, I’m just excited for the opportunity to go out there and just help the team.”

• Seahawks second-round WR D.K. Metcalf has an oblique strain which will sideline him a few days. (Bob Condotta)
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said LB Bobby Wagner won’t play in the preseason opener Thursday following a lower body procedure. (Condotta)
• Carroll said the team is mulling surgery for TE Ed Dickson, which would sideline him four or five weeks. (Brady Henderson)