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Cards notebook: Dansby improving, may return Sunday
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Linebacker Karlos Dansby says there’s a “50-50” chance he’ll be able to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Read Mike Tulumello's blog, Bird Watching
Dansby, who is a key to the Cardinals defense, missed the Cards’ narrow loss at Washington with a sprained knee then used the bye week to rest and recover.
On Monday, he went through exercises while the other players practiced.
Also, Levi Brown continued to practice at left tackle while starter Mike Gandy recovers from a sore right calf.
Brown expects that’s the way it will be Sunday. If this is the case the Cardinals will have a rookie in Brown at left tackle while Elton Brown — a career backup at guard — will continue to start at right tackle (where Levi Brown started the season).
Gandy said, “I’m going to take it day by day.”
Levi Brown said the main hurdle in switching from the right to the left side is “getting used to left-handed stance and switching the plays over in your head.”
“I had gotten the plays down to where I don’t have to think about anything.”
Brown had a couple of problems with the switch at Washington but in general — considering he’d missed three games with an ankle injury and was playing a new position — “I think he performed very well,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
Backup safety Aaron Francisco, who is recovering from a knee sprain, also exercised during Monday’s practice.
“They’re moving around well,” Whisenhunt said of his injured players.
“We’ll see what they can do on Wednesday and how limited they are in practice.
“They’re progressing nicely. Certainly, last week helped out.
“Wednesday is when we’ll see.”
DRAFTEE GETS PROMOTION
Ben Patrick, the team’s seventh-round draft pick from Delaware, has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
To make room, the Cardinals released guard-tackle Brad Badger.
Patrick, a tight end, was the Cardinals’ 215th overall selection in this year’s draft. He led all I-AA tight ends in receiving during his senior season with 64 receptions for 639 yards and six touchdowns.
Patrick spent training camp with the Cardinals and was released on Sept. 2. He was re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 4 where he has spent the first eight weeks of the season.
ENCOURAGING PRACTICE
Whisenhunt called the first practice after the bye week “spirited,” that, “The guys were eager to work.
“They worked at a fast pace. Even the conditioning at the end, they didn’t gripe as much ... A couple days off certainly helps.”
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