Cardinals notebook: Boldin returns to practice

FLAGSTAFF -  Anquan Boldin, who has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, returned to practice Sunday afternoon and said he has no limitations.

"At the same time, I'm still being cautious. There's no need to rush it. It's still only preseason."

Boldin said he expects to play Saturday at Kansas City.

He described his workouts on the side as "probably tougher than practice ... It's like I've just been sitting out practice."

He thinks he has little to catch up on.

"The only thing is getting in football shape. That's pretty much it."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "Anquan looked good ...didn't seem like he'd missed a beat. Hopefully the week will go well for him."

Also, safety Antrel Rolle sat out practice after his foot was stepped on during a punt return Thursday against New Orleans.

He should return soon.

So should rookie receiver Early Doucet, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury. A determination on his status for Saturday has yet to be made.

Also, linebacker Monty Beisel, who is recovering from back surgery, is getting close to returning to drills, Whisenhunt said.

FRANCISCO GETS BEAT

Safety Aaron Francisco got beat narrowly three times in pass coverage, including on an early touchdown pass against New Orleans.

Whisenhunt didn't sound overly concerned, saying the first action in games is different than practices.

"It's a little like tackling," he said. "When you're out here practicing and those balls are up in the air ... you always have to be careful about getting tangled up or running into your own receivers.

"When you get into live action, playing that ball is a little bit different.

"Yes, we'd like to see Aaron play those balls better ... But the one thing I'll say is he was close. He was in position.

"We'll work on some of those drills this week, going up and getting those balls and knocking them out. I'm confident he'll play 'em better."

SATURDAY'S PLANS

The starters probably will play for most of the first half - perhaps the entire 30 minutes - on Saturday, Whisenhunt indicated.

"A lot of it depends on how we play. If we play well and have a good rhythm, then we'll consider making a change (earlier)."

WHAT WIZ MISSES

Not that he's about to hand back his job as head coach, but Whisenhunt admits there are things he misses about being an assistant.

"What you miss is bonding with one group, whether it's the quarterbacks, whether it's the tight ends, the line - you're spread out over more people. You don't have the individual relationships that you do from spending time in the meetings, watching film ... You miss that aspect of it."

That said, "When you get on the field and in the games, it's still a lot of fun."

THAT GOOD?

The team's defense "is 10 times better than last year," Rolle said.

He cited the club's improved depth and knowledge of their assignments.

"You can pretty much put anyone anywhere and pretty much have the same outcome."

EXTRA POINTS

The Cardinals moved inside to the Walkup Skydome on Sunday afternoon at the last minute because of a rainstorm.