Cardinals won't be taking much responsibility off signal-caller's plate

Arizona Cardinals: Despite having a rookie quarterback in Josh Rosen taking over the starting job this week, the Cardinals won't be taking much responsibility off the signal-caller's plate. Asked how much freedom he'll have at the line of scrimmage to make checks and audibles, Rosen said, "As much as [coordinator Mike McCoy] wants me to. I can do anything I want, but for the most part, a lot of stuff is built in -- alerts, checks, all that stuff -- we go over it. I'm never just kind of shooting by the hip, but I definitely have some freedom to do what's gotta be done."

Los Angeles Rams: L.A.'s defense has been outstanding so far, ranking first in points and first downs allowed this season, but the test is about to get tougher. With Aqib Talib (ankle surgery) on injured reserve and Marcus Peters (calf) expected to miss a few weeks, Sam Shields and Troy Hill will step in as starters alongside Nickelback Nickell Robey-Coleman. "It's a challenge any time your second-team people are in there, but we have a lot of confidence in those guys," defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said Tuesday. "We can call the same calls with those guys. ... Both those corners that we have can really run." Shields has 62 career starts but only one since 2015. Hill started seven games from the Rams from 2016-17.

San Francisco 49ers: With Jimmy Garoppolo (torn ACL) officially on injured reserve, all eyes will turn to C.J. Beathard, who says he's much more prepared for game action in his second season. "Having gone out there and played in five NFL games, there's nothing you can do to simulate those reps in practice," Beathard said Wednesday. "... Just being another year under the system in Kyle's offense helps a ton. Just the knowledge of the offense, getting through progressions quicker, all that stuff." Garoppolo's win streak to close 2017 drew headlines, but Beathard actually led the Niners to their first win of the year, going 19 for 25 for 288 yards, two scores (and another on the ground) and a pick in a 31-21 triumph over the Giants.

Seattle Seahawks: Saddled with one of the league's longest injury lists, the Seahawks appear to be creeping closer to being whole. Head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that wideout Doug Baldwin "has a chance" to return against the Cardinals. "He's confident -- that's not a surprise," Carroll said of Baldwin, who has been out since midway through Week 1 with a knee injury. "We'll see if he can pull it off." However, linebacker K.J. Wright appears likely to miss another game as he continues to recover from a preseason knee scope. Carroll said free agent signing Mychal Kendricks will play again this week, suggesting any NFL discipline for his conviction of insider trading is not imminent.