Ryan Lindley, Not Logan Thomas, Will Start for Cardinals in Week 17

Timothy RappDec 22, 2014

The Arizona Cardinals are in need of a spark after being blown out by the Seattle Seahawks 35-6 in Week 16. Rookie Logan Thomas was initially expected to start for the team in Week 17 against the 49ers, but have turned back to Ryan Lindley.

Continue for updates.

Arians Adds Context to QB Situation

Lindley to Start Over Thomas in Week 17

Monday, Dec. 22

On Thursday, Kent Somers of AZCentral first reported Lindley would start Sunday before colleague Andrew Joseph supported:

The news comes just a few days after Thomas was originally named the team's starter. On Monday, Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, "We'll go with Logan, and to be honest with you, I'll have a quick hook," per ArizonaSports.com. "I want to see what he's got with a week of preparation for our future, and into the playoffs what's the best thing for us."

Evidently, Arians didn't see enough from Thomas in practice to overtake Lindley. We'll find out Sunday if Arians' failure to show commitment to either player this week will have a negative impact on the team.

Lindley really struggled against Seattle—to his credit, he's far from the only quarterback who has struggled against that defense this season—finishing 18-of-44 passing for 216 yards and an interception. However, he still has the experience over Thomas and would be in for somewhat of an easier test against a 49ers team that collapsed against the Chargers in Week 16.

Unfortunately, Lindley's career has also been defined by one pretty dubious statistic, per ESPN Stats & Information:

"It has nothing to do with the way Ryan played," Arians said of the initial switch to Thomas. "I was very happy with Ryan, I thought he did his part in the game and a lot of other guys did not."

It was always hard to imagine the team would turn to Thomas, who is all of 1-of-9 for 81 yards and a touchdown in his career, though.

The Cardinals are obviously hoping Drew Stanton can return for the playoffs. The chances of the team earning a bye and giving Stanton another week of rest were hurt significantly by Sunday's loss, as the Seahawks will clinch the top overall seed in the NFC if they beat the St. Louis Rams in Week 17.

That means the Cardinals might have to go with either Lindley or Thomas in the Wild Card Round. It's hardly an ideal situation for the team, in other words. At the very least, though, seeing how Lindley fares in Week 17 will give Arians an idea of how the team can perform with him under center should he be called upon in the playoffs.