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Arizona Cardinals RB David Johnson on fast track to recovery after surgery

By The Sports Xchange
Arizona Cardinals' running back David Johnson (T) tries to get over Oakland Raiders' linebacker Cory James in the first quarter in the first quarter of the game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, August 12, 2017. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI
Arizona Cardinals' running back David Johnson (T) tries to get over Oakland Raiders' linebacker Cory James in the first quarter in the first quarter of the game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, August 12, 2017. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Although he technically can't return until Nov. 9 against Seattle at the earliest, the Arizona Cardinals believe running back David Johnson might recover much faster than originally expected.

Initial timelines put his return at two to three months following left wrist surgery.

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During his weekly radio appearance Monday on the team's flagship radio station, however, general manager Steve Keim said he visited with Johnson recently and that he thinks Arizona's star player might be back a lot sooner.

"My conversation with David was you can't listen to what everybody says about the length of time you're going to miss because nobody can forecast that, especially when you're a genetic freak like him," Keim said. "We all heal differently, and I wouldn't be surprised if David heals faster than most when it comes to that injury."

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Sunday's 16-13 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts marked the 42nd win for Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, tying him with the late Don Coryell for second place on the franchise all-time win list.

Ken Whisenhut has the most wins by a Cardinals coach with 49.

"To be even mentioned with Coach Coryell, that's mind boggling to me. He was one of my great idols watching that team play."

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"He doesn't. ... That's why it's easy for me to say it, because I know he don't give a (expletive)." -- Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, when asked if thinks Carson Palmer gets effected by any of the harsh criticism the coach has heaped on the quarterback during the first two weeks of the season.

Palmer became the Cardinals' all-time leading quarterback in 300-yard passing games, doing it for the 23rd time in his 55th career game with Arizona.

Kurt Warner previously held the record with 22 career 300-yard games for the Cardinals, which he accomplished in 61 games.

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Running back Chris Johnson showed good burst and speed when his number was called during the second half of Sunday's game at the Colts and it's expected he will take over the No.1 rush duties Monday night against the visiting Cowboys.

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Johnson said he isn't wasting any time thinking about the possibility, saying: "I just went out there and was just trying to control what I can control and make the most of my opportunities. That's all I can do. Anything else besides that is out of my control so that's really something I really don't worry about."

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Linebacker Philip Wheeler, released by the Cardinals last Friday, was re-signed on Wednesday. Wheeler spent the preseason with the Cardinals before being released on Sept. 8. He was re-signed three days later before being cut once again, in part so that the Cardinals didn't have to guarantee his full salary in 2017.

The nine-year veteran played in 133 games with 66 starts for the Colts, Raiders, Dolphins and Falcons.

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Right tackle Jared Veldheer had a poor game Sunday against the Colts, getting beat on occasion off the edge and failing to finish blocks by using the wrong hand to push away would-be pass rushers and tacklers. Coach Bruce Arians was asked if the veteran is having problems because he's playing on the right side after being a left tackle throughout his career.

"Oh yeah, it's not easy," Arians said. "But he's had enough work at it now to use the proper technique. He's got to trust his technique."

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Tight end Jim Dray, signed to the active roster last Friday, played in Sunday's game at the Colts and was released on Tuesday. His departure probably signifies the return of a healthy Jermaine Gresham, who missed Week 2 with sore ribs the tight end was being body slammed by Detroit's Jarrad Davis.

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Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald extended his franchise record for consecutive games with at least one reception to 197. That remains third on the NFL's all-time list behind Jerry Rice (274) and Tony Gonzalez (211). If Fitzgerald were to catch a pass in each of his team's final 14 regular-season games, he will tie Gonzalez for second place in Arizona's final game of this season.

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