Arizona Cardinals (1-3) search for answers

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Honey Badger thinks he might know what's wrong with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I just don't think this team has found its motivation, it's 'it,'" safety Tyrann Mathieu said after Arizona fell to a surprising 1-3 following a 17-13 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. "You know, last year everybody kind of had a chip on their shoulder. We had a lot of veterans, people had counted them out. We had some young guys who were ready for stardom. So we just have to find out edge, this team.

"We have to find our attitude. We just have to figure out what drives us. Our coaches aren't always going to be able to drive us. That has to come from us, personally. Every man in this locker room needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves if they're giving all they have, every play."

It's not as if the Cardinals' three losses came against franchise quarterbacks. Arizona lost home games to the Jimmy Garoppolo-led New England Patriots and the Case Keenum-led Rams, and its road defeat came against Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills. All three quarterback had their moments against the Cardinals, playing better than expected.

The Arizona offense has struggled mightily, failing to connect on the deep ball, refusing to rely on the running game, and failing to get off to any type of a good start in games. Turnovers have been a major issue the past two weeks with a total of nine against the Bills and Rams. Tackling is a problem, and the special teams continue to be a complete disaster.

"I never envisioned this type of start," general manager Steve Keim said. "I don't know anybody, fans or anybody in the organization, who envisioned this."

As perplexed as he is, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians isn't ready to wave the white flag anytime soon.

"I went around and talked to every single one in that locker room. Stick together. That's the biggest thing," Arians said. "Stick together. Nobody is going to start finger-pointing in that locker room or on this coaching staff. It all starts and ends with me."

If there is a silver lining, it is that the Cardinals don't have any time to reflect on their latest loss. They have to turn around and play a road game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. And they may have to do it without starting quarterback Carson Palmer, who sustained a concussion Sunday. That means backup Drew Stanton could make his first start since 2014, when he filled in for an injured Palmer and went 5-3.

"He's beaten this team before, the 49ers," Arians said Sunday. "Everybody has a ton of confidence in Drew."

On Monday, however, Arians announced that Palmer was already feeling much better and had started to do physical activities under the watchful eye of doctors while he is in the league's concussion protocol. Considering the coach previously didn't think Palmer could possibly be cleared in time to play against the 49ers, that was encouraging news.

"Oh yeah, it always is," Arians said. "From what I thought yesterday, I thought there was no chance."

Arians said Palmer wouldn't have to practice this week in order to start Thursday night and added that a decision on which quarterback he goes with likely will be made at some point Wednesday.

Stanton completed just four of 11 passes and was intercepted twice Sunday upon replacing Palmer.

"My main focus, if my number is called, is to go out and find a way to help this team win a football game," Stanton said Monday. "And that's what I've always been about and that's what I've tried to base my career upon because I don't know when my opportunities come as a backup. But I try to and do everything I can to make sure that this team, if I'm in there, is going to be successful and has more points on the scoreboard at the end."

--General manager Steve Keim said it is embarrassing that the Cardinals already have two home losses. However, he wasn't ready to say the season is in utter turmoil just because Arizona is off to a 1-3 start.

"There were signs that let me know we have, one, a talented football team, and number two, we have time on our hands," he said during his weekly radio appearance Monday on Arizona Sports 98.7. "At the same time, we can't mess around. We are in a position, as we all know, that it better start changing quickly."

--Brandon Williams, the rookie who opened the season as the starting right cornerback opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson, was inactive Sunday against the Rams. He began splitting time with newcomer Marcus Cooper in Week 2, but Cooper has received the lion's share of the work, and now Williams isn't even playing.

--Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was inactive against the Rams just two days after Arians said the rookie pass disruptor had the best week of practice of his life. The first-round pick has been dealing with an ankle issue since training camp began, but that wasn't the primary reason why he didn't play against Los Angeles. It was because he still is behind each of the first six interior defensive linemen who are getting the regular reps.

--Running back Chris Johnson left the Sunday game against the Rams in the fourth quarter when he sustained a groin injury after a 7-yard gain. He could barely walk off the field under his own power, and after the game, he needed a security guard to drive him to his car in the players' parking lot.

"Obviously, not very good," Johnson said when asked how he felt after the game. "I've never had one of these before, so I don't really know how long it's going to take. It doesn't feel good."

Arians on Monday said Andre Ellington would take any snaps Johnson would have received when the Cardinals return to action Thursday night at the 49ers.

--Safety Tyvon Branch left the game after twice aggravating a groin injury that was limiting him in practice. The Cardinals adjusted by moving safety Tyrann Mathieu into the slot and using D.J. Swearinger at safety in nickel situations. Branch did not practice Monday.