GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford suffered a lower leg injury during Tuesday’s outdoor practice and will miss an “extended amount of time,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said after Arizona’s 33-26 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night.
A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Alford will miss “about two months,” leaving the Cardinals heavily shorthanded at cornerback to start the season. Alford was expected to start opposite eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson but Peterson was suspended the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
However, a two-month timetable for Alford could have him returning right around the time Peterson is eligible to return for the Cardinals’ Week 7 game against the New York Giants. In the meantime, it’s likely that rookie Byron Murphy and Tramaine Brock will be the Cardinals’ starting corners come Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.
Alford signed a three-year contract with Arizona in February worth $22.5 million.