Cardinals Center Hjalte Froholdt Active Against Cowboys Despite Late Knee Issue
Arizona Cardinals starting center Hjalte Froholdt will be active and in the starting lineup for Sunday’s road game against the Dallas Cowboys, overcoming a knee injury that threatened his availability late in the practice week. The update provides a crucial stabilizing presence for an offensive front already dealing with significant personnel losses on injured reserve.
Froholdt was added to the injury report as a limited participant on Thursday and subsequently missed Friday’s practice after tweaking his knee. That late-week downgrade created immediate concern because Arizona’s listed backup center, Jon Gaines II, had already been ruled out with an ankle and knee injury. Hayden Conner would have been forced to slide over from guard to handle center duties, a position he has not played during his NFL career, requiring the team to plug a secondary hole at right guard.
Instead, Froholdt’s active status allows Conner to remain at his starting right guard position. The veteran center has not missed a start since joining the Cardinals ahead of the 2023 campaign, anchoring an interior that head coach Mike LaFleur has described as an extension of the quarterback due to his command of protections and offensive communication.
Max Melton and Andrew Wingard Return to Active Roster
Beyond the offensive line, the Cardinals received positive news regarding two other players who carried questionable designations into the weekend. Cornerback Max Melton, who dealt with a knee issue that limited him throughout practice and forced him to miss the previous week’s game against the Denver Broncos, is active. Safety Andrew Wingard, who has been sidelined since Week 4 at the New York Giants due to a knee injury, is also active for Sunday’s matchup.
Meanwhile, quarterback Carson Beck remains officially inactive for the eighth straight game. Beck participated fully in practice on Thursday and Friday after managing a back issue, but the team continues to deploy him solely as an emergency third quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.
Commanders WR Treylon Burks, listed as questionable for Sunday night, is expected to play vs. the Eagles.Cowboys WR George Pickens, listed as questionable, is expected to play vs. the Cardinals.Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle, listed as questionable for today, is trending toward…
The full list of inactive players for the Cardinals includes:
- QB Carson Beck (emergency third quarterback)
- CB Starling Thomas V
- RB Evan Hull
- LB Eku Leota
- OL Jon Gaines II (ankle/knee)
- OL Albert Reese
- DL Walter Nolen III (ankle)
On the opposing sideline, the Dallas Cowboys listed wide receiver George Pickens as questionable entering the weekend. Pickens, who ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported was expected to play, is active. The Cowboys’ inactive list features wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, linebacker Dee Winters, outside linebacker Tyrus Wheat, offensive tackle Drew Shelton, tight end Luke Schoonmaker, and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Continuity for the Offense
Maintaining Froholdt at center preserves a vital line of communication for Jacoby Brissett. Through the first seven games of the season, Brissett has completed 183 of 282 passes for 1,600 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions while absorbing 15 sacks. A last-minute substitution in the middle can disrupt the snap exchange and protection calls against interior pressure, a complication the Cardinals avoided by getting their starting center on the field.
The offense continues to manage a depleted roster up front. Arizona remains without starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., starting right guard Isaiah Adams, and rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis, all of whom reside on injured reserve. On the skill-position side, running back Jeremiyah Love returns to the active lineup after clearing the injury report following a full practice session Friday, stepping back into a backfield rotation alongside Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight. Tight end Trey McBride enters Sunday leading the team with 59 receptions, 472 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.
