8 Things We Learned from Cardinals' Training Camp So Far

The Arizona Cardinals have been in camp for a week and they have shown plenty in that week. 

The team was active with player moves at the start of the camp. Injuries have also hit and played a factor. 

Arizona's first preseason game is Friday at Green Bay. Start the slideshow below and see what lessons the Cardinals have been teaching so far. 

Ryan Williams Is in Jeopardy of Missing the Roster

Ryan Williams (bottom) might not make the final roster. The former second-round pick out of Virginia Tech has been suffering with knee injuries during the first week of practice and has been spotted with an ice bag taped to his knee. Williams has also been seen on crutches, so the signs are not encouraging according to philly.com and SB Nation. 

He has missed 27 of a possible 32 regular-season games due to injuries. Williams needs to find a way to stay healthy to ensure he stays on the roster. 

Rookie Running Backs Have a Chance to Shine

The rookie running backs Arizona picked up at the NFL draft have an improved chance of making the roster with Ryan Williams banged up. There's also word of starting running back Rashard Mendenhall suffering from tendinitis in his surgically-repaired knee, according to Fox Sports Arizona. 

With the top two running backs battling injury, Stepfan Taylor (pictured) and Andre Ellington have chances to make a positive impression. Look for Taylor and Ellington to take a majority of carries against Green Bay Friday. 

Hopefully none of the running backs suffer the same fate Williams did two seasons ago. That was the last time Arizona visited Green Bay in the preseason. 

The Cardinals' Offensive Line Is Work in Progress

The offensive line has been a glaring weakness of the Cardinals for the last few seasons. Arizona made moves to shore up the position and it has led to some interesting battles for playing time. 

Free-agent signee Eric Winston is challenging for playing time at right tackle, per Kent Somers of azcentral.com. Levi Brown (pictured) is feeling a push at left tackle, per Bob McManaman of azcentral.com. Brown missed the 2012 season with a torn triceps muscle and is trying to justify his $30 million contract. 

According to the team's official website, there is a lot of flux surrounding the depth chart on the line. How this will play out is anyone's guess but look for Friday's game to help clear the picture up a little bit. 

The Injury Bug Is Biting Arizona

Injuries have started to hit Arizona and the team needs to be able to cope. Nose tackle Dan Williams (pictured) dodged a bullet and suffered a minor knee injury. He's listed on the ESPN.com injury report with a sprained lateral ligament and a sprained ankle. 

Some other key injuries are offensive lineman Daryn Colledge dealing with a nerve injury in his right leg. Wide receiver LaRon Byrd is battling a concussion. Tight end Jeff King is slowed down by a knee injury for the second time in as many years. 

The Cardinals are going to be crossing their fingers hoping they can heal quickly. They're thin on the defensive line and at running back. They can ill afford to lose more players to injuries as we've seen other players on other teams get knocked out for the season. 

The Second Tight End Spot Is Up for Grabs

Arizona head coach Bruce Arians will be using more formations with two tight ends. It's widely believed that Rob Housler will nail down one tight end spot but the second one is up or grabs. 

Jim Dray (pictured) is in the hunt for the second starting spot. Jeff King has been hurt so Dray has taken advantage. Kory Sperry and rookie D.C. Jefferson are also in the hunt for that spot as well, per McManaman. 

Arians' choice will be tough at this position. He needs to pick the player who can not only catch passes but also block on the line and out of the backfield. The Cardinals don't have a fullback on the roster so the second tight end needs to be more of an H-Back. 

Which one gets the nod is up in the air and will be an interesting battle to watch during camp. 

Patrick Peterson Could Be in the Offense

Patrick Peterson is the team's best defensive back and draws the opponent's top receiver each week. He's an up-and-coming cornerback and is one of the better young ones in the game. 

Peterson also helps out with returning punts to try and spark the offense. But now will Peterson get the offense going by playing in it?

ESPN reports Peterson could be involved in the offense. He's been seen throwing passes, coming out of the backfield and catching passes. How Arians will use Peterson is anyone's guess but the risk is there for Arizona to lose its best defender trying to catch a pass over the middle. 

Arizona Could Transition to a 4-3 Defense

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles (pictured) might be changing the Cardinals to a 4-3 scheme. Bowles is aware of the personnel Arizona has and sees the 4-3 as a better fit than the 3-4 defense of last season, per Mike Sando of ESPN.com.

Switching to a 4-3 would help the Arizona rush defense, which was torn apart last season. The Cardinals allowed 137 rushing yards per game which was 28th in the league. Arizona needs to stop getting damaged by the running game in order to be more competitive. 

Carson Palmer Seems to Be Doing Well

Quarterback Carson Palmer (pictured) is picking up Arians' complicated offense, according to the Arizona Republic.

Palmer has adapted to different terminology and is working with new route combinations that he's never seen before. There's still work to be done on mastering the playbook. Palmer's first chance at showing how much he knows comes Friday against the Packers at Lambeau Field.