Larry Fitzgerald Injury: Updates on Cardinals Star's Knee and Recovery

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is recovering from a knee injury suffered in Week 11's 14-6 win over the Detroit Lions, which kept him out of the team's Week 12 and 13 games. He returned to practice ahead of the team's Week 14 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs and will play.

Continue for updates.

Sunday, Dec. 7

Fitzgerald to Play vs. Kansas City

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com confirmed that Larry Fitzgerald will play today:

Friday, Dec. 5

Fitzgerald Listed as Game-Time Decision vs. Chiefs

Craig Morgan of FOX Sports has the latest on Fitzgerald:

Darren Urban of Cardinals.com added more:

Thursday, Dec. 4

Fitzgerald Comments on His Practice Status

Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com provides the latest update on Larry Fitzgerald after Thursday's practice:

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Fitzgerald Returns to Practice

Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona has an update on Fitzgerald's status:

"

Good news: WR Larry Fitzgerald will practice in full today. Fitz walked thru media room today with no limp and said: "I feel really good."

— Craig Morgan (@cmorganfoxaz) December 3, 2014"

Monday, Dec. 1

Fitzgerald Should Practice Wednesday

Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona passed along comments from Bruce Arians on Larry Fitzgerald's status for this week:

Sunday, Nov. 30

Fitzgerald Out vs. Atlanta

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported on Larry Fitzgerald's status for Week 13:

Friday, Nov. 28

Fitzgerald Questionable vs. Falcons

Josh Weinfuss of ESPN has an update on Fitzgerald's status for Sunday:

Arians Comments on Fitzgerald's Status

ESPN's Mike Jurecki provided Bruce Arians' thoughts on Fitzgerald's chances to play Sunday:

Fitzgerald Says He's Likely to Play Sunday

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com has an update on Fitzgerald's status: 

"

Fitzgerald hasn't practiced since suffering the injury nearly two weeks ago against Detroit, but said the knee feels better than last week.

Asked to assess his chances of playing Sunday against the Falcons, Fitzgerald said, 'I'm highly likely, but it's not my call, though.'

Fitzgerald said he can run and challenged a reporter to a race.

"

Thursday, Nov. 27

Fitzgerald Misses Practice Again, Speaks on Status

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com provided a synopsis of Fitzgerald discussing his recovery:

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Fitzgerald Misses Practice

Coach Bruce Arians provided the media with an update on Fitzgerald, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com:

Monday, Nov. 24

Cardinals 'Waiting to See' on Fitzgerald

Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com summed up Arizona head coach Bruce Arians' comments on Fitzgerald's recovery:

Sunday, Nov. 23

Fitzgerald Out for Week 12, May Miss More Time

"Larry Fitzgerald inactive for Cardinals, ends streak of 110 straight games played," announced Mark Maske of The Washington Post.

After the loss to the Seahawks, Kent Somers of AZcentral.com provided an update:

Friday, Nov. 21

Fitzgerald Not Participating in Open Part of Practice, Listed as Questionable

Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com has the latest on Fitzgerald:

Thursday, Nov. 20 

Fitzgerald Is Game-Time Decision

Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 provides an update on Fitzgerald's status:

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Bruce Arians Comments on Fitzgerald's Injury

ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss and Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona provided Arians' comments on Fitzgerald:

Monday, Nov. 17

Fitzgerald Diagnosed with MCL Sprain, Expects to Play

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported on Fitzgerald's knee following Sunday's game:

Arians later commented on Fitzgerald's status, via Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona:

Sunday, Nov. 16

Fitzgerald, 31, was hurt late in the first half but returned to the game after halftime. He finished with two receptions for 33 yards and was targeted only four times. 

An eight-time Pro Bowler, Fitzgerald is in the midst of another middling season. He has 46 receptions for 658 yards after Sunday, putting him in danger of a third straight season below 1,000 yards. 

While the Cardinals have struggled mightily to find competent quarterback play, Fitzgerald's inconsistency has been quite surprising despite a solid season from Carson Palmer. The Cardinals quarterback spread the ball around well before going down with a season-ending ACL tear. Drew Stanton started his fourth game in Palmer's stead Sunday. 

Matt York/Associated Press

As he enters the twilight of his career, Fitzgerald has been exhibiting signs of becoming a possession receiver.

With a $23.6 million cap hit for next season alone, the Cardinals are going to have to think long and hard about his future. Restructuring his contract would add more dead money to the back end of the deal, at a point when his decline will be more obvious.

There has been off-and-on trade speculation, and his status for 2015 has already been a topic of conversation, as he discussed with Dan Bickley of AZ Central: 

"I can't do anything to control that right now. I just focus on the process of getting better every day, to be the best player I can be. My dad told me a long time ago, just control the things you can control. I'm just going to control my effort, my preparation."

Luckily for the Cardinals, he remains a remarkably effective player. Fitzgerald doesn't drop passes; he may have the single-most reliable hands in football. He grabs everything within his catch radius and is one of the better route-runners on the planet. While the former Pitt standout may be better suited for a No. 2 role going forward, he's not without value. 

History also tells us his health scare should be minor. Fitzgerald has played all 16 games in six consecutive seasons and has missed just four regular-season games his entire career.

The Cardinals hope the past serves as a precursor as they await further word on Fitzgerald's status.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.