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What did we learn from Cardinals' joint practices with Colts?

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What did we learn from Cardinals' joint practices with Colts?


WESTFIELD, Ind. — A lot of work was had across two days of joint practice between the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday and Thursday.

But what were the biggest takeaways from Colts headquarters ahead of a Saturday night preseason game? Let’s dive in now that we’re fully dry:

Arizona Cardinals wide receivers came to play

There wasn’t a more consistent position group than Arizona’s wide receiving corps throughout practice.

Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to look as advertised with extended reps against another team, getting the better of starting cornerbacks Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Johnson and other Colts defenders regularly.

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“I think it’s cool for him and all our receivers to go against different DBs,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Thursday. “Kenny looks one way and the next guy (Harrison) goes against looks the complete opposite way. That’s good. That’s what it’s going to be week in and week out on Sunday. Good to get the exposure to that in these two days.”

As for in the slot, Greg Dortch continues to show off his confidence in a regular offensive role.

Much like Harrison, Dortch flashed his route-running, ability to separate and athleticism throughout joint work.

“My confidence has always been high,” Dortch said Thursday. “I’m very confident. I’m not the biggest guy — in fact, I’m probably the smallest guy out here — so I gotta bring some type of confidence to my game. Hopefully, when I play you can see it.”

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Second-year pro Michael Wilson was his consistent self, while Dan Chisena continued to make plays after leading all Cardinals pass catchers with five catches for 63 yards in Saturday’s preseason loss to the New Orleans Saints.

It also looked like quarterback Kyler Murray’s chemistry with veterans Zay Jones and Chris Moore, who was also getting special teams looks, is developing.

And although he’s not listed as a wideout, tight end Trey McBride didn’t miss a beat through most of the practices outside of a dropped pass during two-minute drills.

Cause for concern?

The biggest negative from the past two days was Arizona’s inability to finish practices on a high note, specifically the first-team offense and defense.

Much like the first-team offense’s ending on Day 1, Murray and Co. looked out of sorts through two two-minute drills on Thursday.

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Whether it was the incompletions, penalties or pressure from the Colts defensive line, Arizona was held out of the end zone. The weather didn’t help, but it was definitely not the ending Gannon was hoping for, especially knowing Murray won’t play in any of the remaining preseason matchups.

Arizona’s first-team defense wasn’t able to buck the late trend, either.

There was an uptick in the secondary’s play during Day 2. Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V and Sean Murphy-Bunting had their moments during 7-on-7 work, but overall, it was a struggle trying to contain the Colts offense led by second-year pro Anthony Richardson.

During one last two-minute drill against Richardson and Co., the first-team defense could do little to keep the Colts out of the end zone. The drive started with a pair of first-down strikes to Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell before Murphy-Bunting got popped with a pass interference penalty to set up a short touchdown run by Richardson.

Arizona certainly added more talent to the roster with Murphy-Bunting and rookie Max Melton looking like integral parts of the defense moving forward. That doesn’t sidestep the fact that there’s still going to be a massive microscope on the Cardinals’ cornerback situation in 2024.

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Now, there are still a few weeks to fine-tune things before the regular season. Gannon is hoping the lessons learned this week can translate over to when the bullets go live.

“You’re really not game planning like a game,” Gannon said Thursday. “(Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing) said it best in the offensive meeting. Maybe if we would have game-planned a little bit different (maybe it would have looked different), but we gotta have SOPs, standard operation procedures, and then we gotta be able to handle and think on the run, too, on different things, because that’s what a game can be.

“You’re not going to get every look and know what’s going on and be able to get to things that can handle that stuff. It’s a really good learning experience for our guys. That’s why I love these things.”

Trench work

Important pieces to Arizona’s defensive line brought it during the two-day stretch.

Rookie Darius Robinson was quick to stand out during Day 1 of practice. His forklifting of starting guard Quenton Nelson during 1-on-1s was a good example of what he brought to the table this week.

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Khyiris Tonga also deserves some credit for his play, especially getting some extended looks throughout Day 2.

Both Robinson and Tonga are vying for meaningful roles in the trenches.

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Robinson’s biggest competition appears to be Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones and L.J. Collier.

Tonga meanwhile is battling alongside Roy Lopez, a player who has seriously impressed throughout training camp.

On the other side of the ball, Paris Johnson Jr.’s transition to left tackle seems to be on an upward trend with work still to be done. Seeing more consistency out of Evan Brown and Jonah Williams could further solidify a line that is expected to block for a top rushing attack in 2024, too.

Clayton Tune widens gap

When it comes to the QB2 battles between Tune and Desmond Ridder, the former remains out in front following two days of joint practice.

Both had their ups and downs, but Tune managed to at least move the ball down the field some during his final two-minute showing.

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The same can’t be said for Ridder, who threw an interception on his first pass attempt in the two-minute drill, effectively ending his joint practice action with Tune taking over immediately following.

Tune wasn’t nearly on his mark like he had been — he was bailed out by Colts defenders on two risky throws that could have been picks — but hung in there.

Another strong preseason showing from Tune could solidify his spot as QB2 behind Murry.

Chippy yet disciplined

After seeing a few dustups in Arizona’s training camp work at State Farm Stadium, a lot of those around the team expected some tempers to flare.

There were some heated moments between the Cardinals and Colts but nothing that could be classified as fighting.

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As for the chippiest part of the program? That belonged to the special teams, where DeeJay Dallas had a couple of collisions that didn’t sit well with the Colts.

“It got a little feisty but I think you expect that especially in Day 2 of joint practice,” linebacker Krys Barnes said Thursday. “I think we handled it pretty well even with it getting a little chippy. Thankfully they probably ended it right before it got out of hand. I think we got the work we needed.”

Still, no punches were thrown and no one was ejected, a big positive in the books of Gannon and Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

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2026 NFL draft: 3 potential trades back from No. 3 for Arizona Cardinals

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2026 NFL draft: 3 potential trades back from No. 3 for Arizona Cardinals



Since the Arizona Cardinals want to trade back from the No. 3 picks, here are three deals that could work.

The Arizona Cardinals have the third pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which begins this week on Thursday. All the reports coming out are saying that they want to trade out of the pick to acquire more draft picks.

But what does a trade look like and who could be involved?

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The Kansas City Chiefs are involved in talks at some level. ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects trade talks to heat up this week.

NFL teams use a variation of a trade value chart when it comes to draft picks. Now, what a team actually is willing to give up can be influenced by potential competition with other teams, but we can’t count on that.

Here is the general trade value chart teams use.

Here are some potential deals that could be done.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have two first-round picks, which would be appealing to the Cardinals, who reportedly want to make a move for quarterback Ty Simpson, and the 29th pick might be just the spot to get him.

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The third overall pick is worth 514 points.

The Chiefs’ picks at No. 9 (387 points) and No. 29 (202 points) together are worth 589.

To make up the difference, the Cardinals could give up No. 65 (78 points) for a total of 592 points.

One deal could be:

  • Cardinals receive get No. 9 and No. 29 (589 points)
  • Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 65 (592 points)

Another could be:

  • Cardinals receive No. 9, No. 29, No. 74 and 2027 third-round pick (653 points + value of future third-round pick, which is 36-78 points)
  • Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 34 (689 points)

The Cardinals keep their third-round pick and the Chiefs essentially move back five spots from No. 29.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks but no pick in the second round.

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Pick No. 12 is 347 points and No. 20 is 269 for a total of 616.

This deal is close:

  • Cardinals receive No. 12, No. 20 (616 points)
  • Cowboys receive No. 3, No. 65 (592 points)

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are perhaps a dark horse to move up, although they do not have two first-round picks. They have the No. 8 pick, worth 406 points. Their second-round pick, at No. 42, is worth 142 points.

This deal could work:

  • Cardinals receive No. 8, No. 42 (548 points)
  • Saints receive No. 3, No. 104 (547 points)

Then the Cardinals could use their two second-round picks to then move back into Round 1 to get Ty Simpson.

They could trade No. 34, No. 42 and No. 65 (395 points) for No. 28, No. 38 and No. 106 (398 total points).

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Dust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com

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Dust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com


PHOENIX — Breezy winds kicked up a blanket of dust across the Valley on Sunday, and forecasters say more is on the way this week.

Visibility in Phoenix became so bad on Sunday that Sky Harbor airport stopped flights for over an hour

The wind and dust peaked Sunday afternoon and gradually improved into the evening, said Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

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“You might’ve seen the mountains a bit obscured in the distance,” Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “A lot of haze in the air.”

By Monday morning, skies had largely cleared and dust levels near the ground had dropped significantly.

Expect more gusty, dusty days this week

The relief may be short-lived.

ADEQ is watching for increased afternoon breezes Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, this time from the west and southwest. Though the winds are expected to be weaker than Sunday’s, Graves said forecasters cannot rule out dust.

“I wouldn’t say windstorm,” Graves said. “I would just say we’ve got some waves coming in. They’re going to increase our afternoon breeziness.”

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It’s enough to kick up dry, exposed dirt, which could create pockets of dust. There is a slight chance of broader regional dust transport, Graves said.

It will impact people with asthma, COPD or respiratory conditions the most. Graves advised those with issues to monitor conditions and stay indoors during the dustiest hours.

“If you’re going to be outside, be outside during the times when it’s less dusty or hazy,” Graves said.

Graves noted that spring weather systems typically pass to the north of the Phoenix area, delivering wind and slight temperature drops but little to no rain, a pattern likely to continue.

KTAR News reporter Kellen Shover contributed to this report.

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Trying to beat the heat: Addressing rising temperatures in Southern Arizona

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Trying to beat the heat: Addressing rising temperatures in Southern Arizona


The University of Arizona and Tucson are known for yearlong warm weather, but when is it too much? With temperature reaching record highs in March, the city of Tucson has already reported increased temperatures for this year. 

In the wake of the third annual Southern Arizona Heat Summit, integrating voices throughout the City of Tucson, community stakeholders and experts from UA gather to speak about possible solutions and policies to address rising temperatures and extreme heat. 

The summit strives to ensure that the lived experiences of Southern Arizona residents are voiced. The first summit commenced in 2024, in response to the declaration of an extreme heat emergency in Arizona by Gov. Katie Hobbs, as part of a larger plan called Arizona’s Extreme Heat Response Plan. 

With representation from organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Arizona Jobs with Justice, Tucson Indian Center and many more, the summit emphasized the importance of the perspective and concerns of stakeholder groups throughout the community. 

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The summit included a variety of UA experts, including faculty representing the School of Geography, Development and Environment; the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy; the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture.

One particular project, led by Ladd Keith at the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, is a part of the Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory, which is funded by the United States’ Department of Energy to explore extreme heat throughout Arizona. SW-IFL works in collaboration with other national laboratories including those at ASU and NAU. 

The team works to analyze extreme heat in the southwest and rural areas, and how communities deal with heat by conducting interviews. The team has also prescribed policy to Pima County and the City of Tucson regarding more effective strategies to combat rising temperatures, such as green stormwater infrastructure. 

Anne-Lise Boyer, a post-doctoral researcher with the Climate Assessment for the Southwest, shared that the team particularly analyzed extreme heat in three parts: heat mitigation, heat management and heat governance.

Mitigation deals with prevention through strategies such as green infrastructure and planting trees, while management includes cooling sensors and heat warning systems. Governance allows these measures to be enacted through policy.

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In Tucson, some of the most meaningful work the team has engaged in has been drafting the City of Tucson’s Heat Action Roadmap in 2024, which outlines goals to mitigate and mandate extreme heat and its impacts while prioritizing community voices.  

The goals of the roadmap include informing and educating citizens of Tucson on the adverse effects of extreme heat and cooling people’s homes and neighborhoods by incorporating heat risk in regional planning. These steps are essential to practicing heat management, especially as the city of Tucson grows. 

“I think the most interesting thing about being based in Tucson is that because the heat has been here for a long time, it’s like a laboratory in itself,” Boyer said. “We have all this research and all this collaboration happening with local actors because it’s a pressing issue in Arizona.”

As the annual heat summit recurs, new ideas and perspectives continue to be shared throughout the community. Boyer shared that this year, the Southern Arizona Heat Summit focused on the youth perspective, highlighting middle school and high school students and how heat impacts their everyday lives. Many students spoke about how heat shaped their lives at home, school and sports.

“That’s one of the goals, to have community members participate and give their input in how they wish the city will deal with the heat,” Boyer said. 

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Boyer and Kirsten Lake, a program coordinator for the SW-IFL team, also shared how the impacts of extreme heat impact some neighborhoods and communities in Tucson more than others, and that their research often evaluates these factors to determine where heat management efforts would make the greatest impact.

“Its important when you’re putting into effect some of these measures, that you make sure you put it where it’s going to make the biggest difference,” Lake said.

The work of the SW-IFL team is not just locally known. The Brookhaven National Lab based in New York deployed a specialized truck to Tucson to collect information on the atmosphere and rising temperatures. The SW-IFL team hosted the Brookhaven team.

Additionally, Keith’s work has led to a guidebook called “Planning for Urban Heat Resilience” which focuses on the adverse effects extreme heat poses to marginalized communities across the country. 

“It is so different from place to place and neighborhood to neighborhood because you have to take the whole context into account,” Boyer said. “They recommend first to document the heat impacts in your communities.”

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