Cards notebook: Boldin says body will let him know if he値l play

Though he made no promises, Anquan Boldin sounded like somebody who intends to play on Sunday.

Boldin returns to practice, hopes to return Sunday

Boldin, who is recovering from facial fractures suffered on a big hit in a game against the New York Jets three weeks ago, practiced on Wednesday, then said, “I’m going to take it one day at a time.

“Hopefully, everything plays out to my liking. … Everything felt good. I kind of head-butted some guys to see how it feels. I didn’t feel any pressure from it.”

Boldin knows he could get hit in the same place after he takes the field.

“My feeling is, if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. I can’t go the whole game worrying about it. … Then you haven’t played to your full potential.”

In making the decision on whether to play, in concert with the Cardinals’ medical staff and coaches, “You have to listen to your body,” Boldin said. “That’s the best indictor.

“The body lets you know if you can go. It also lets you know if you can’t.”

Boldin said wires were removed from his mouth Tuesday, but metal plates that were implanted are to stay in permanently.

INJURY UPDATE

Sitting out practice Wednesday were linebacker Travis LaBoy (groin), tight ends Leonard Pope (ankle) and Ben Patrick (knee) and safety Aaron Francisco (thigh).

BETTING ON BOLDIN

The Panthers are expecting Boldin to play.

In part, that’s because of backup quarterback Josh McCown, the former Cardinal who is friends with Boldin.

Starter Jake Delhomme said McCown told him, “ ‘I promise you he’s going to be on the field.’ ”

Boldin said he’s been talking to McCown this week.

“He’s been messing with me about it,” Boldin said. “He told me to sit out for one more week.”

HE KNOWS THE LEAGUE

Watching game tape with McCown can be a trip.

Delhomme, who does this often with his backup, pointed out McCown has traveled from Arizona to Detroit, then to Oakland, then to Miami (in the offseason) and then to Carolina.

“Josh has been bounced around the past few years. He’s very smart. He’s been in a ton of offenses. That’s something that’s good.

“But it’s kind of funny. Any time we’re watching film, it’s ‘I’ve played with that guy. I’ve played with that guy.’ ”

“Hopefully, we have a home for him for a little while here.”

McCown told Delhomme the story about being benched by Dennis Green, even though the Cardinals were coming off two straight wins, just before a game at Carolina in 2004.

“I brought that up to him,” Delhomme said. “He just kind of shrugged and laughed about it.

“It kind of worked in our favor that day.”

The Panthers blew out the Cardinals that day, 35-10.