Cardinals at optimum health heading into NFC title game

The Arizona Cardinals are as healthy as any team can realistically hope to be this late in an NFL season.

That’s quite a difference from last season, when the Cardinals’ season ended in a wild-card playoff loss in Charlotte. The Cardinals were so debilitated they started journeyman quarterback Ryan Lindley.

“Basically, no injuries to report,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said after practice Wednesday. “Some were limited but we got a good work day in. Actually, it was a little bit too warm out there. It’s a shame to go to Carolina (where it will be cold with precipitation). But a very good practice.”

It was sunny with temperatures in the low 70s in the Phoenix area Wednesday. The Cardinals practiced Wednesday in the long cleats that have been recommended to deal with the loose turf at Bank of America Stadium Sunday.

Five Cardinals were listed as limited in practice Wednesday: Cornerback Justin Bethel, wide receiver John Brown, running back David Johnson and defensive tackles Josh Mauro and Frostee Rucker.

Ginn gone: Arians was asked Wednesday why Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is no longer with the Arizona Cardinals. Arians said it was about the ankle injury Ginn suffered last season as a Cardinal and the emergence in his absence of Brown.

That meant Ginn’s only time on the field was on special teams, so the Cardinals moved on.

Props to Norman: Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was asked Wednesday about the emergence of Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. Palmer offered high praise.

“If anyone reminds me of (Seattle Seahawks cornerback) Richard Sherman, I think it’s him,” Palmer said of Norman.

Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals’ Pro Bowl cornerback, was also asked about Norman’s breakthrough season.

“(From) the highlights I’ve seen on television he’s been doing great things and been nothing but consistent all year,” Peterson said.

“He’s obviously earned the right to be called one of the best defensive backs in the league. Our receivers could definitely have their hands full, but if I had to put my last dollar on it, I’d still go with our guys.”

Carolina crowd: Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell is excited about the atmosphere they’ll face in Charlotte Sunday night.

“This is the first time they’ve ever had the (NFC) Championship Game there. I know how that was in 2008 for us. Our crowd was unbelievable, the craziest I’d ever seen it because that was our first time,” Campbell said. “But I feed off the crowd, even when it’s the other team’s crowd. So I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to a hostile environment out there and try to do what we do.”

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 8:19 PM with the headline "Cardinals at optimum health heading into NFC title game."