Cardinals Safety Rashad Johnson Was at Risk of Losing More of His Finger by Continuing to Play

Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson lost part of his finger in a game against the Saints two weeks ago, but the damage almost got even worse.

Soon after undergoing surgery to repair the lost finger tip, Johnson returned to Cardinals’ practice with a big cast over his left hand. The safety had to be pulled out of practice last week, though after banging his right hand while trying to make a play, head coach Bruce Arians said on SiriusXM radio on Tuesday.

“There was a slight infection after the first hit, when they had the cast on,” Arians said. “There’s no telling what germs you’re trapping in there when you ball it up and put the cast on. The stitches are still there. He could evidently lose more of the digit if he bangs it too much, and with any infection they could have to take more off. We’re going to be careful with it.”

Fortunately for the Cardinals, they aren’t in dire need of the reserve safety right now. Arizona improved to 2-2 on the season after beating the Buccaneers 13-10 on Sunday, Veteran Yeremiah Bell and rookie Tyrann Mathieu have been stout in the secondary, too, which should allow Johnson all the time he needs to fully recover.

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