The Arizona Cardinals activated wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday afternoon.
The future Hall of Famer has missed the past two games—both losses for Arizona.
Fitzgerald's positive COVID-19 test was reported on Nov. 26, and he was promptly ruled out for the Week 12 matchup with the New England Patriots. Fitzgerald has not practiced since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The team did not confirm reports that he tested positive, by rule.
Despite the absences, the 17-year veteran is second on the team with 43 receptions, typically from the slot position. He's still looking for his first touchdown of the season.
On Monday, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said the Cardinals have Fitzgerald's impact, on the field and in the locker room
“He's a tremendous leader and presence for us obviously. You know he brings a level of confidence because of what he has accomplished and what he can do on the field.”
The Cardinals have had mixed success with players returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Linebacker Devon Kennard, for instance, has seen his snap count limited in three games since re-joining the active roster.
“To be not out there on a consistent basis and get into a rhythm and try to help the team win, it's frustrating … I was making an impact, then an injury and COVID and it hasn't happened since then,” Kennard said Tuesday, via azcardinals.com. “I'm waking up every morning thinking, ‘Am I going to feel something? Am I going to lose taste, smell?' The whole time I felt like I could play 80 snaps in a game completely normal.”
The Cardinals have lost three games in a row after a 6-3 start to the season.
Entering Week 14, Arizona sits in third place in the NFC West—trailing the 8-4 Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks—and in the seventh and final spot in the conference playoff picture.
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