Long-term goals in play for Edmonds, Cardinals run game; Cole, Thompson do not practice

To construct their first touchdown of the season, a 10-yard flick from quarterback Kyler Murray to Chase Edmonds, the Cardinals relied on a little bit of thievery.

"It was a play that we had stolen from Tennessee a couple years back, and they scored a touchdown on it as well," Kliff Kingsbury said Monday. "So guess it's 2 for 2."

To make the play work, Edmonds also drew on some league-wide inspiration as he dove for the pylon.

"I kind of took that, the balance side of my game from (Saints running back) Alvin Kamara," the running back said. "I would see all the workout Alvin Kamara was doing, try to either replicate them or find a little tweak where I can kinda elevate my game a little bit."

Taking the play and taking the balancing technique helped the Cardinals snag the 24-20 win over San Francisco. Now, as the team gears up for a home meeting with Washington, Edmonds wants to keep taking advantage of his opportunities. 

He had six carries for 26 yards Sunday, along with 19 receiving yards on three catches. Just because running back Kenyan Drake will start doesn't mean that Edmonds won't have a solid role. 

"We know we have a long-term goal for us, so we got to keep both of us fresh," Edmonds said Wednesday. "It's a 16-week season. And it is a long season, man. It really is. So I think Kliff and (running backs) Coach (James Saxon), they're gonna just do a good job of just rotating and keeping us fresh." 

No one had more yards on the ground in the game than Murray, who was credited with 91 rushing yards, including a 22-yard touchdown run. 

But it was the misdirection play in the first quarter and Edmonds' ability to punch it in that got the Cardinals in the end zone for their first time this year. That also came after a blocked punt and recovery by Dennis Gardeck and Ezekiel Turner. Edmonds thinks all of that points to the depth on the roster, and the ability to get more players involved. 

"We've just got to continue to find ways to make plays when it's hard to get going, and everything like that, and just continue to just be successful," he said. 

No clue

Before a conference call with Arizona reporters on Wednesday, Washington coach Ron Rivera spoke with local reporters and he was asked if he knew the Texans had planned to make star wide receiver available on the trade market before he was dealt to the Cardinals.

“No, we had no sense he was on the market,” Rivera said, adding, “We were all surprised. Here’s a talented player that was playing for a team that he played very well for and they traded him, but it was a decision made on another team.”

COVID-19 update

The Cardinals placed wide receiver KeeSean Johnson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. While teams are limited in what they can share, Kingsbury provided an update Wednesday.

“Still in that wait-and-see mode,” he said. “(Johnson) will continue to be tested, and we’re just waiting for him to be cleared and clear the protocol, and then we’ll get him back."

Per league and NFLPA policy, teams cannot comment on player's medical status outside of their roster status. Teams also cannot disclose whether the player in question is in quarantine or has tested positive for COVID-19.

Injury report

C Mason Cole (hamstring) and S Jalen Thompson (ankle) are not practicing quite yet. The two both left Sunday's game, but Kingsbury said he does not anticipate they will miss much time. 

Cardinals LB Kylie Fitts (wrist), TE Maxx Williams (ankle), WR Larry Fitzgerald (not injury related) and WR DeAndre Hopkins (not injury related) also did not not practice Wednesday. OL Josh Jones (ankle) was limited.

For Washington, LB Cole Holcomb (knee) was limited. 

Practice squad

The Cardinals announced Wednesday that the team re-signed cornerback Jalen Davis to the practice squad. Davis spent training camp with the Cardinals and played in two games with the team last year. 

Safety Curtis Riley was also signed off the Steelers' practice squad, according to a report from Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Riley updated his Instagram bio and story to reflect his arrival in Arizona. The Lions signed cornerback Chris Jones off the Cardinals practice squad, and the Cowboys signed offensive lineman Alex Light off the practice squad.

Reach the reporter at kfitzgeral@gannett.com or 480-356-6407. Follow her on Twitter @kfitz134.

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