NFL teams
Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Cardinals RG Evan Mathis (foot) ruled out against Bills

NFL, Arizona Cardinals

TEMPE, Ariz. -- More than a week after his left foot was purple, Arizona Cardinals right guard Evan Mathis was ruled out of Sunday's game at Buffalo.

Mathis, who didn't practice this week, played last week in a blowout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His foot had turned from purple Sept. 12, according to quarterback Carson Palmer, then black-and-blue Sept. 15, according to general manager Steve Keim.

"I was in here on Monday and he came in on Monday and his entire foot was purple and I thought that there's zero chance that he would practice on Wednesday," Palmer said, describing the week leading up to the Tampa Bay game. "I've never seen it. I haven't seen a guy that plays through whatever issues he's got quite like that, other than a guy named Richie Braham who I played with a long, long time ago.

"Those are two of the toughest guys I've ever been around."

Utility offensive lineman Earl Watford will start in Mathis' place.

Mathis, 34, suffered the injury in Arizona's season-opening loss to the New England Patriots. He left the game in the second quarter and was carted to the locker room but returned to start the second half, only to leave again.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a mid-foot sprain, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan. Mathis suffered turf toe late in the Bucs game, coach Bruce Arians said. Mathis' injury has been listed as "foot/toe" on this week's injury report. He did not practice all week.

The Cardinals also listed defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (knee) and outside linebacker Kareem Martin (knee) as doubtful. Neither practiced this week. Cornerback Justin Bethel (foot) and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (ankle) were listed as questionable.

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