Matt Leinart dropped back, getting rare good protection on Saturday night. He locked in on Larry Fitzgerald, stared him down some more, and then led Fitzgerald over the middle for a 16-yard gain.
Fitzgerald went up for the ball and took a big hit to the knee. As usual, he held on the ball. Fitzgerald got up gingerly without incident, but was later seen icing his knees on the sideline and did not return. The injury didn’t look serious.
Leinart left the game after three series in which the Cardinals didn’t score a point. He finished 6-of-7 for 49 yards and took two sacks. Right tackle Brandon Keith was tossed aside like a rag doll on a bull rush by Mario Williams.
It was typical Leinart: excusable, but not inspiring. It was also typical Derek Anderson on the backup quarterback’s first drive. Anderson was picked off on his fourth throw.