Fitzgerald told Jim Gray on SiriusXM on Friday that he doesn't feel compelled to play "right now," according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I don't know how I'll feel in September, October, November moving forward but I just, today, I just don't have the urge."
Analysis: After seasons before 2021, Fitzgerald has made a fairly quick decision to return to the fold, so it's notable that he hasn't made a firm call on the doorstep of the upcoming campaign. And the prevailing sentiment surrounding Fitzgerald has oscillated wildly this offseason, with Cards execs expecting him to retire back in April, the wide receiver hinting to Jim Trotter of NFL.com before training camp that he remained undecided and now Friday's noncommittal comments. As Fitzgerald mentioned to Gray, "Football is not one those games you want to walk out there and play and not be fully engaged." Ultimately, pragmatism implies we won't see Fitzgerald in an NFL game this season, but he has yet to make a call, one way or another.
Aug 20, 2021 10:42 PM EST
Fitzgerald remains undecided on his status for the upcoming season, Jim Trotter of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Since the conclusion of the 2020 campaign, it has been widely acknowledged by those in league circles that Fitzgerald was expected to retire, but with training camps about to open the itch to play may be coming back to the 17-year vet. According to Trotter, Fitzgerald relayed there's "no new news," and he's "still not under contract," but he has yet to make a call on his playing future. Trotter relayed the Cardinals "definitely would like to have him (Fitzgerald) back if he wants to play," and "there is a spot for him" if he makes such a decision. Assuming he returns, Fitzgerald would be in line for a much smaller role than in his first two seasons under coach Kliff Kingsbury, when he averaged 6.2 targets per game en route to a combined 129-1,213-5 line in 29 contests. Currently, DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk and rookie second-rounder Rondale Moore occupy the top of Arizona's wide receiver depth chart.
Jul 20, 2021 3:47 PM EST
Cardinals executives expect Fitzgerald to retire, Mike Sando of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 37-year-old wideout is an unrestricted free agent, following a 2020 campaign with career lows for catches (54), yards (409) and touchdowns (one). The Cardinals' signing of A.J. Green was one hint at Fitzgerald retiring, and while it hasn't actually happened yet, an announcement could be coming at some point this spring/summer. It's also possible Fitzgerald surveys the landscape for opportunities with a different team, though he'd be unlikely to find any assurance of regular playing time.
Apr 5, 2021 6:41 AM EST
Coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that Fitzgerald (groin) may take "awhile" to make a decision about whether to return for an 18th season in 2021, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports
Analysis: Fitzgerald has taken his time on such a call in each of the previous four offseasons, informing the Cardinals that he was putting off retirement for another year between mid-January and mid-February. He may do the same this time around, but after a campaign in which he missed game action for the first time since 2014, he may be closer to hanging up the cleats than at any other point. Fitzgerald also managed career-worst marks across the board -- 54 catches, 409 yards and one touchdown on 72 targets -- while tying his career low with 13 appearances (he also did this in 2006). He currently sits No. 2 all time in receptions and receiving yards behind Jerry Rice, with the former in reach if Fitzgerald decides to play another two or three seasons (he's 117 behind Rice). Fitzgerald isn't under contract in 2021, so the Cardinals likely will give him all the time he needs regarding his future.
Jan 4, 2021 11:32 AM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Rams in L.A., Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: After failing to practice this week due to a groin injury, Fitzgerald's availability for Week 17 came down to a game-time decision. The Cardinals opted to make him unavailable for this must-win contest, so they'll be down Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk (undisclosed) after the latter was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Behind top wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella and Trent Sherfield are on hand for reps at the position.
Jan 3, 2021 11:58 AM EST
The Cardinals aren't optimistic that Fitzgerald (groin) will play Sunday against the Rams, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per Schefter, with Christian Kirk on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Fitzgerald "could try to surprise" and give it a go in Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff, but the team is "not counting on having him available." if Fitzgerald is unable to play, added opportunities would be available for KeeSean Johnson, Trent Sherfield and Andy Isabella.
Jan 3, 2021 4:42 AM EST
The Cardinals list Fitzgerald (groin) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Katherine Fitzgerald of The Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: According to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Fitzgerald's Week 17 status would come down to a game-day decision after the wideout was unable to practice in any capacity this week. Look for the Cardinals to put Fitzgerald through a workout Saturday or early Sunday, with confirmation on his status one way or the other set to arrive no later than 90 minutes before the game's kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET, when the team releases its inactive list. Arizona would likely turn to KeeSean Johnson to join DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk in three-receiver sets if Fitzgerald can't gain clearance for the regular-season finale.
Jan 1, 2021 3:12 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals have held Fitzgerald out of the first two sessions of Week 17 prep, leaving his status cloudy for Sunday's clash with the Rams. He can turn the tide with an appearance Friday, but in any case the team seems poised to tab him with a designation for game day. If Fitzgerald eventually is inactive this weekend, Arizona likely will turn to KeeSean Johnson in three-wide sets with DeAndre Hopkins (hip) and Christian Kirk.
Dec 31, 2020 4:49 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) isn't present for Thursday's practice, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Fitzgerald is poised to go down as a non-participant on the Cardinals' first two Week 17 practice reports, leaving his status in question for Sunday's game against the Rams. If the veteran wideout can't suit up in the regular-season finale, KeeSean Johnson would likely be the top candidate to join DeAndre Hopkins (hip) and Christian Kirk in three-receiver sets.
Dec 31, 2020 9:03 AM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) didn't practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: It's been a rough last month of the season for Fitzgerald, who missed two games after testing positive for COVID-19 and now tending to a groin injury the last two weeks. Since returning to action Week 14, he's also hauled in 11 of 15 passes for just 73 yards and one touchdown. The top of the Cardinals' receiving corps is banged-up at the moment -- DeAndre Hopkins missed Wednesday's session with a groin issue -- so the group will need to be watched closely as the week proceeds.
Dec 30, 2020 4:20 PM EST
Fitzgerald caught six of eight targets for 28 yards during Saturday's 20-12 loss to the 49ers.
Analysis: Kyler Murray attempted a season-high 50 passes, leading to Fitzgerald's second-most targets in a game on the season. Despite the elevated volume, Fitzgerald couldn't do much with the looks en route to his sixth outing of the campaign with fewer than 30 receiving yards. There could be a chance for even more reps Week 17 after DeAndre Hopkins emerged from the contest with an upper-body injury. However, Fitzgerald battled a groin issue in practice this past week, so his own health may be compromised at the moment.
Dec 27, 2020 1:57 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) is listed as active Saturday versus the 49ers.
Analysis: Fitzgerald logged just one limited session this week due to a groin injury, but it won't stop him from suiting up Week 16. Since sitting out Weeks 12 and 13 due to a bout with COVID-19, he's hauled in five of seven passes for 45 yards and his first TD of the season over the last two games. Considering his lack of volume, Fitzgerald is difficult to trust for production on a weekly basis.
Dec 26, 2020 12:12 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Held out of the Cardinals' first two practices of the week, Fitzgerald took a step forward by practicing in a limited fashion Thursday. The return to the field wasn't enough for Fitzgerald to avoid a designation for the Week 16 contest, however, and the Cardinals could take a decision on his status up until game day. The future Hall of Famer isn't much of a fantasy entity at this stage of his career, having scored only one touchdown in 12 games this season while topping out at 62 receiving yards in any given contest.
Dec 24, 2020 2:00 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) didn't practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Fitzgerald was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's estimated practice report and maintained that lack of activity when the Cardinals took the field Wednesday. There's no telling if his availability for Saturday's contest against the 49ers is in question, but there's also now a great chance he'll head into the weekend with a designation attached to his name.
Dec 23, 2020 1:41 PM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) wasn't spotted at the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: With that, Fitzgerald's status will need to be monitored as Saturday's game against the 49ers approaches. If the veteran wideout is out or limited this weekend, added Week 16 opportunities would be available for KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella and Trent Sherfield.
Dec 23, 2020 9:07 AM EST
Fitzgerald (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: This is a new injury for Fitzgerald, who rarely misses time. Since the Cardinals didn't actually practice Tuesday, the team's session Wednesday should provide a better indication of Fitzgerald's Week 16 availability. KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella and Trent Sherfield all stand to benefit it Fitzgerald is sidelined Saturday against the 49ers.
Dec 22, 2020 4:02 PM EST
Fitzgerald hauled in three of four passes for 35 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 33-26 win versus the Eagles.
Analysis: DeAndre Hopkins dominated the attention of Kyler Murray, who looked his way 11 times. Beyond Hopkins, Fitzgerald was among eight other Cardinals skill-position players to be targeted by the QB. Fortunately for Fitzgerald, he posted his first touchdown of the season, salvaging the day of a player who hasn't got much going in his age-37 season. He'll look to finish out the campaign on a high note, with the 49ers up next Saturday afternoon.
Dec 21, 2020 6:47 PM EST
Fitzgerald caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 26-7 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Fitzgerald returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list for his first action since Week 11, but the veteran receiver wasn't a major part of the game plan. He hasn't scored a touchdown this season while topping out at 62 receiving yards, and Fitzgerald will likely remain an afterthought in Arizona's offense in Week 15 against the Eagles.
Dec 13, 2020 2:25 PM EST
Fitzgerald could have a limited snap count in his return to action Sunday against the Giants, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Coach Kliff Kingsbury noted Friday that Fitzgerald "has looked good" in practice since the Cardinals activated him from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday. Still, Kingsbury intends to "be smart" with Fitzgerald's workload, which ranged from 79 to 93 percent of the offensive snaps in eight of his 10 appearances this season. Despite the significant usage prior to his COVID-19 diagnosis, Fitzgerald has managed a 43-336-0 line on 57 targets to date.
Dec 11, 2020 1:16 PM EST
The Cardinals reinstated Fitzgerald (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
Analysis: Fitzgerald is set to return to action Sunday against the Giants after missing the Cardinals' last two games following a positive COVID-19 test. The wideout should step back into a regular role in three-receiver sets now that he's back on the active roster, but the future Hall of Famer likely won't warrant much attention outside of the deepest of leagues. He's topped out at eight receptions and 62 receiving yards over his 10 appearances this season, and he has yet to reach the end zone in any of those games.
Dec 8, 2020 1:03 PM EST
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