Cards notebook: Boldin, Brown doubtful for Sunday

Receiver Anquan Boldin and tackle Levi Brown are both doubtful to play in Sunday’s home game vs. Pittsburgh.

Both players said they would decide before the game whether they can go.

The Steelers have their own injury concern — star receiver Hines Ward is out of Sunday’s game.

As for the Cardinals, Boldin has a sore hip; he would be replaced by Bryant Johnson.

“I’m trying to fight through it. … It feels a little better. It’s loosening up,” Boldin said.

“You want to be smart about it. There are a lot of games in the season.

“You don’t want to put yourself in jeopardy.”

Brown, who would be replaced by Elton Brown, said, “It will be a game-time decision. I’ll see how it feels.”

On the plus side, center Al Johnson appears ready to go after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the season opener. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he would likely start.

Rookie Lyle Sendlein has started in Johnson’s absence.

Rookie nose tackle Alan Branch, who has a cast on his broken left hand, is “physically ready to go,” Whisenhunt said. Whether he will be activated depends on how much the coaching staff feels he can contribute.

HE LIVES TO HIT

Adrian Wilson isn’t going to change. Big hits are part of his game, and he’s going to keep at it.

“I think Adrian has got to keep playing the way he is playing,” Whisenhunt said. “You can’t try to make him think about playing the game. You’ve just got to play.”

Sounds simple, but it isn’t.

His big hit Sunday at Baltimore on tight end Todd Heap aided the Ravens’ game-winning drive . He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct as the officials ruled he launched himself at Heap and led with his forearm.

Wilson said he hit Heap with his shoulder pad.

That Wilson didn’t really protest was taken by some as a sign that he realized the call was at least a close one.

Wilson says now that, “There was nothing I could do about it.

“The play was called and over. There was no need for me to continue to protest.

“We’re not in Judge Judy’s courtroom. We’re not going to get it overturned.”

STEELERS’ STREAK

Edgerrin James is the last player to rush for 100 yards in a game against the Steelers.

It’s been 28 games since James ran for 124 yards on 29 carries against the Steelers, and linebacker Larry Foote likes his team’s chances of leaving Arizona with the streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher in a game intact.

“If I was a betting man,” Foote told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review of James rushing for 100 or more yards Sunday, “I wouldn’t bet on it.”

NO HUDDLE, NO HESITATION

The key to making the no-huddle offense work is Kurt Warner’s ability to call a play quickly, then spot a receiver and deliver the ball without hesitation.

“He calls the plays,” Whisenhunt said. “And there are a number of different formations and a number of different plays that you can pull from, so it’s quite an extensive package.”

Warner would like to expand that package as he plays more in the no-huddle.

“I hope to make it more extensive,” he said.

BIG BEN’S BACK

Ben Roethlisberger has put his down year behind him.

The Steelers quarterback has completed 60 percent of his passes and boasts a shiny 102.9 QB rating.

This comes after a year that included his infamous motorcycle accident and didn’t get much better on the field.

“He’s a young guy, 25 years old, yet he’s experienced,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s won a world championship. He’s experienced what he characterizes as a disappointing year. (Now) he’s back for more.”