Cardinals' Max Melton: Still tending to hamstring issue
Rotowire
Melton (hamstring) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton sat out in Week 5 versus the Titans after hurting his hamstring during practice, and now his availability for Week 6 is in jeopardy. He'll likely need to manage a full practice Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Won't play Week 5
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Melton (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton injured his hamstring in practice late in the week, and the injury is severe enough for the second-year corner to miss his first game of the regular season. Denzel Burke and Elijah Jones are the top candidates to start at outside corner in Melton's absence.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Dealing with hamstring issue
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Melton (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Titans.
Melton practiced in full all week, but it now appears he's sustained a hamstring injury that could sideline him in Week 5. The second-year corner has tallied 14 total tackles and three passes defended through Arizona's first four games this season. If he's forced to miss Sunday's contest, Elijah Jones is likely to see increased work with the Cardinals' first-team defense.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Cleared for Week 3
Rotowire
Melton (knee) is active for Sunday's clash against the 49ers.
Melton exited last Sunday's game against the Panthers due to a knee injury but was able to log three limited practices this week. He entered the weekend deemed questionable to play but will ultimately be able to suit up as one of the Cardinals' starting cornerbacks for Sunday's NFC West battle between 2-0 teams.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Questionable for Week 3
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Melton (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton suffered a knee injury in Week 2 but has logged three limited practice sessions since. His status will be particularly important, as Will Johnson (groin) looks likely to be sidelined against the 49ers.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Done for day
Rotowire
Melton (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's contest against the Panthers, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Melton was carted to the locker room with a knee injury in the first half, and his day has now officially come to a premature end. The cornerback compiled two solo tackles before his departure, and in his place, Denzel Burke will likely continue to see an increase in workload in Arizona's secondary.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Heavy usage in rookie season
Rotowire
Melton played all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 51 tackles (36 solo), five pass defenses and one forced fumble.
Melton was one of seven rookies selected by the Cardinals during the 2024 NFL Draft, and the second-round cornerback out of Rutgers was arguably the most consistent. He finished third among Arizona's corners in combined tackles behind Garrett Williams (58) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (52). In addition to seeing heavy snaps with the Cardinals' first-team defense, Melton showed his value and versatility by serving as a gunner on special teams. Melton and fellow rookie corner Elijah Jones (ankle) will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Cardinals' defense in the offseason during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Past shin issue
Rotowire
Melton (shin) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Melton appeared to be in jeopardy of missing the Cardinals' Week 16 contest after opening the week of practice with consecutive limited sessions due to a shin injury. The rookie corner from Rutgers then practiced in full Friday, indicating that he's already recovered from the injury. With Melton back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of the Cardinals' top rotational outside cornerbacks Sunday.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Melton (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
The 2024 second-round pick logged two total tackles over 16 defensive snaps in Arizona's Week 15 win over New England before exiting the game with a shin injury. Melton's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can play through the issue in Week 16, when the Cardinals face the Panthers.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Questionable to return Sunday
Rotowire
Melton (shin) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Patriots, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Melton is dealing with a shin injury and his status for the rest of the game is now up in the air. In the meantime, Kei'Trel Clark stands to operate in a more significant role in Arizona's secondary while Melton is unavailable.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Active for Week 12
Rotowire
Melton (illness) is active for Sunday's game against Seattle, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton was in danger of missing Sunday's game due to an illness, but he appears to have recovered enough to be available for Sunday's game. He'll provide depth in the secondary behind starting corners Starling Thomas and Sean Murphy-Bunting.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Melton (illness) did not participate at the Cardinals' practice Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Melton popped up on the practice report with an undisclosed illness Thursday, forcing him to sit out. The cornerback will look to return to practice Friday, but if he is ultimately unavailable for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, Kei'Trel Clark would stand to see an increase in workload at cornerback.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Melton (neck) was considered to be a limited participant at the Cardinals' walkthrough Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Melton produced nine total tackles (eight solo), a forced fumble and a pass defensed in Arizona's 17-15 win over the Chargers on Monday, picking up an apparent neck injury in the process. The cornerback will have two more chances to log a full session before the team's Week 8 contest in Miami on Sunday.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Good to go vs. Rams
Rotowire
Melton (concussion) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton entered concussion protocols following Arizona's Week 1 loss to Buffalo. He started as a DNP on Wednesday, but he finished the week as a full participant in Friday's session, and he is good to go for Sunday's NFC West showdown. Melton played 27 snaps (10 on defense, 17 on special teams) and registered two solo tackles against the Bills in Week 1.
