GLENDALE — Cardinals veteran safety Jalen Thompson is officially inactive for Arizona’s Week 10 game against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Thompson entered the matchup as questionable after popping up on the injury report with an ankle issue. He was a limited participant on Thursday before missing practice entirely the following day.
Across nine starts in 2024, Thompson is up to 56 tackles (one for loss), two passes defensed and two QB hits. He’s played 97% of Arizona’s available defensive snaps.
The safety has stayed relatively healthy for a good portion of his career, missing just two games since 2021 and helping round out a 1-2 punch in the backend of the secondary alongside Budda Baker.
With Thompson sidelined, the attention now turns rookie Dadrion Taylor-Demerson — better known as Rabbit — to help pick up the slack.
Rabbit (aka Dadrion Taylor-Demerson) could be in line for extended snaps in Week 10 if Jalen Thompson can’t go (or isn’t 100%) on Sunday.
The veteran popped up on Arizona’s injury report with an ankle issue yesterday and was not practicing during the open portion this morning. pic.twitter.com/2JHktUtfY5
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) November 8, 2024
“It’s definitely exciting but at the same time, every single week, I prepare just as much as Budda and JT do to be on the field,” the rookie said when asked Friday about the potential of starting. “Unfortunately, this is one of the scenarios. Honestly, it’s me just going and doing my job.”
“I’m here for a reason, come in and be the next guy up and now it’s the next-guy moment. With JT gone, just (going to do my job) so there’s no drop off and the team can continue to build on what we want to be.”
Rabbit has been used selectively in a defensive capacity so far in 2024, seeing no more than 22 snaps (34%) on that side of the ball in a single game.
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Kei’Trel Clark and Divaad Wilson, who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, could also be in line for added snaps.
Baron Browning active for Cardinals-Jets
One name you won’t find on the inactives list is new Cardinals pass rusher Baron Browning.
The edge rusher was brought aboard this past Monday via trade with the Denver Broncos.
It’s unclear how much he might play, but a good sign he’s picking things up after a wee of work.
Who else is inactive for Cardinals-Jets alongside Jalen Thompson?
Joining Thompson on Arizona’s inactive list include rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson (calf), linebacker Julian Okwara, offensive lineman Christian Jones, tight end Travis Vokolek and wide receiver Xavier Weaver. Offensive lineman Jonah Williams is also out after the team opted against activating him off injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game.
As for the Jets, offensive linemen Carter Warren and Jake Hanson, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, linebacker CJ Mosley and running back Israel Abanikanda are inactive.
The Cardinals take on the Jets at 2:25 p.m. Catch all the action on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com.