‘Damn Good’ Receivers, And End Of Camp Aftermath

Michael Wilson was back, no more yellow non-contact jersey, no more neck issue. The wide receiver is hopeful that getting cleared a couple of days before the Cardinals open the preseason Saturday will allow him to get snaps alongside the rest of the starters that will be in the game for a time.

There was a little doubt last week, when Wilson dove for a pass in practice and his head collided with the knee of safety Budda Baker. That sidelined him, and earned him a mild rebuke from coach Jonathan Gannon for leaving his feet in practice — which can lead to no good, like a knee to the head.

“That play could’ve been a lot worse, and that just reignited and reminded me of how lucky I am of just waking up every day and feeling lucky that I get the opportunity to compete in the NFL. There are a million dudes who would trade an arm and a leg to trade positions with me.”

Wilson will be a key to the receiver room. He has had a good camp by his own analysis, and while he and Marvin Harrison Jr. missed practices with ailments, they are both back on the field. Zay Jones looked good in camp. Greg Dortch is still in the mix.

This is the group the Cardinals are going to ride with in the regular season, helped by a Pro Bowl tight end too. So while Wilson knows there is chatter the Cardinals should sign a receiver, he has his thoughts.

“Do I pay attention to it? No,” Wilson said. “But I understand … I don’t buy into it too much. I know what we have in the room is everything we need. Our room is as talented as any room. Guys around the league know, just because you may not have a big name or paid guy, we still have a damn good receiving corps.”

Wilson was trying to show that when he dove for that pass last week.

“When the ball is out there, I don’t want to show that I’m not putting the motor on tape,” Wilson said. “It’s so ingrained into a receiver in the NFL, I have to at least put my best foot forward and do what I can to come down with the ball.

“Truthfully, I think if I didn’t get hit, I would’ve caught the ball.”