Arizona Cardinals Optimistic Wide Receiver Will Play in Week 14

The Arizona Cardinals haven't quite yet given up on their 2022 playoff chase, and they could have one more reason for hope when they take the field against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. At his Tuesday press conference, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said there was "optimism" wide receiver Greg Dortch will play in Week 14.

Kingsbury said there was optimism WR Greg Dortch would play against the Patriots.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 6, 2022

Dortch has been unavailable since injuring his thumb in the Cardinals' Week 11 38-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He caught nine of his 10 targets for a season-high 103 yards in the game.

Dortch's return should provide the Cardinals with an effective underneath option to complement the explosive outside games of wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown. The Cardinals have seldom sported their full arsenal of pass catchers this year, so it will be interesting to see if a deeper unit can make a difference over the season's final five weeks. Hopkins missed six games this year due to a suspension, and Brown has missed five games with a foot injury.

Dortch initially joined the Cardinals as a free agent in 2021 after briefs stints with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons. Still only 24 years old, he profiles as a fleet-footed, undersized slot machine in the vein of Wes Welker or Cole Beasley. He has already set career highs this year in catches (34), receiving yards (324), and yards per target (8.3).