The Arizona Cardinals signed punter Michael Palardy to the practice squad Wednesday with punter Blake Gillikin’s status still in question.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gillikin was inactive in Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury sustained in the Cardinals’ (6-7,2-2) loss to the Seattle Seahawks (8-5,3-2) and is questionable to play in Sunday’s upcoming matchup with the New England Patriots (3-10,1-3).
“If Blake’s not able to go, (Palardy) will punt,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said in Wednesday’s press conference.
Arizona Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon reveals the team has signed punter Michael Palardy to the practice squad if Blake Gillikin can’t go with an ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/hRkr3VfOg8
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 11, 2024
Gillikin suffered the injury on his lone punt in the game midway through the second quarter. After getting off the punt, Gillikin land on Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas’ ankle. He limped off the field in agony, but not before the ball was downed for a 63-yard bomb. Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland, stepped in to replace Gillikan for the remainder of the game. Ryland averaged 39 yards per punt on his three attempts.
Injury to punter Blake Gillikin means it's kicker Chad Ryland out to punt pic.twitter.com/CG4TkPiDfP
— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) December 8, 2024
The Cardinals found a reliable leg in Ryland, who has already stepped in for a key Arizona special teamer this season.
Ryland has been the Cardinals starting kicker since Week 5, replacing NFL veteran kicker Matt Prater. Prater was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 15, after undergoing meniscus (knee) surgery, stemming from the Cardinals’ Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions (12-1,4-0). Prater knocked down all six of his field goals — including a 57-yarder that led the way for four field goals of 40 yards or more — before being placed on IR. Ryland has made 19-23 of his field goals since taking the reins. All of his misses came from 40-plus-yard attempts; however, he has knocked down two field goals of more than 50 yards, highlighted by a season-high 57-yard kick to match Prater.
Ryland was able to be a feasible replacement for Prater, but Arizona is clearly looking for more if they need to replace Gillikin.
Palardy hasn’t played a game since 2022, ironically last suiting up for the New England Patriots. A two-year hiatus doesn’t tell much about what he’ll be able to do if Gillikin is absent, but the Cardinals have gotten on the good foot with Palardy in preparation for him to play Sunday.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
