Will Anquan Boldin Play For The Cardinals?

Will Anquan Boldin play today for the Cardinals? The answer to the ‘Will Anquan Boldin play’ question looked to be no most of the week. But Anquan Boldin could play, or not, depending on who one asks in Arizona. The status of Anquan Boldin was already questionable enough before his hamstring troubles flared up again. As such, the question of ‘will Anquan Boldin play’ probably won’t be answered until game time, as it puts another damper on Anquan Boldin‘s long term future with the Arizona Cardinals.

Anquan Boldin‘s injury problems were a big talking point during the Cardinals’ run to the Super Bowl, and nothing has really changed as 2009 starts. Anquan Boldin hamstring injuries make him a game-time decision for the defending NFC champions’ opener against the 49′ers today at 4 p.m. est. Anquan Boldin hasn’t practiced all week, so even if he can play, Anquan Boldin may not be as explosive as the Cardinals hope.

The questions about whether Anquan Boldin will play for the Cardinals usually center around his injuries, or his contract troubles. Anquan Boldin has been at the center of trade talks and contract disputes for about a year now, as he hasn’t been given the huge contract he wants, nor has he gone to another team.

After an off-season of uncertainly, Anquan Boldin remains a Cardinal for now. Though if he wants a big deal from another team, being sidelined for games will not help. But Anquan Boldin has played through injuries before, most notably after the devastating hit he took against the Jets last year.
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Anquan Boldin is one part of the deadly receiving core that helped take the Cardinals to the brink of a championship. However, while Anquan Boldin was hampered by injuries in the playoffs, Larry Fitzgerald became the next superstar receiver of the NFL due to his playoff performance. As the Cardinals enter 2009, Fitzgerald is the mega star of the offense next to Kurt Warner, while Anquan Boldin‘s troubles make him more of a distraction these days.

The Cardinals have enough distraction on their plate without worrying if Anquan Boldin will play. They have to defend their NFC title, and overcome the recent history of Super Bowl losing teams tanking the next season. With a winless preseason, expectations that the Cardinals may have been a fluke, and worries over whether Kurt Warner can stay standing for another full season, Arizona still has a lot to prove.

Anquan Boldin will play at some point in the season, to help answer the questions about the Cardinals and himself. But like the Cardinals themselves, many are just waiting for Anquan Boldin to slip up and prove the doubters right.