GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Arizona Cardinals training camp:
Nose tackle Dan Williams was conspicuously absent for the majority of Arizona’s practice Sunday. According to reports, he left practice with a swollen left knee. There’s no word on how serious the injury is. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians addresses the media Monday morning. In his place, however, Christian Tupou took snaps with the first team. Depending on the seriousness of Williams’ knee, Tupou could be Arizona's primary nose tackle because Alameda Ta’amu is also out while rehabbing a torn ACL.
While working on a side drill, running back Robert Hughes took snaps as a fullback -- the same position Arians said he doesn’t like using. Hughes, who signed with the Cardinals in the offseason after two years in Indianapolis, including one with Arians, is a strong possibility to be the Cards’ fourth back.
The coaching staff got a good look at Jaron Brown Sunday when he took three straight passes from backup quarterback Drew Stanton. He's part of five players competing for the fourth wide receiver job.
Without Jake Ballard at practice because of a thigh bruise, Rob Housler was working with the first team. It’s opportunities like these that Housler needs to prove himself after a disappointing 2013.
Tony Jefferson and Rashad Johnson have been the Cardinals’ first-team safeties.
When Arizona played its dime defense, nickel back Jerraud Powers and rookie safety Deone Bucannon joined the starting secondary of Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, Jefferson and Johnson. Often in dime Sunday, Arizona wouldn’t use a nose tackle, opting for two down linemen and two outside linebackers, with just one linebacker, Larry Foote. Bucannon would start the play lined up next to Foote and, if needed, he’d drop back or out wide into coverage.
For the majority of practice, Arizona played two outside linebacker pairs. Matt Shaughnessy, playing in place of the absent John Abraham, played with Sam Acho, while Alex Okafor and Kareem Martin were usually on the field together.
Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is playing with the second team.
Rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro made all five of his attempts Sunday from 33, 40, 45, 46 and 47 yards.
