... Peterson’s trade-me, don’t-trade-me distraction this week, however, has completely overshadowed the fact that the Cardinals could be without starting free safety Tre Boston for a second consecutive week as he continues to recover from sore ribs and a shoulder injury.
Boston, who was injured during an interception return Oct. 14 at Minnesota, has been just as important to the Cardinals’ defense this season as Peterson, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and defensive end Chandler Jones, the NFL’s reigning sacks leader. Boston is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with three and he leads the Cardinals with seven passes defensed to go along with 43 tackles, which ranks fourth on the team.
With an off week looming next week and Boston still hurting and not yet being able to practice fully or hardly at all, for that matter, it’s looking very likely that he will be held out of Sunday’s home game against the 49ers.
...In the team’s three-safety, nickel-zone defense that coordinator Al Holcomb continues to employ far more frequently than the club’s regular 4-3 base defensive scheme, Boston has been one of the bright spots. He always seems to be around the ball and he’s disrupted more passing routes than anyone.
His absence was noticeably felt during the Cardinals’ 45-10 loss to the Broncos...
...As the starting free safety, Boston was in charge of calling out defensive alignments for the secondary.
...,” Wilks said when asked how much the Cardinals rely on Boston. “You saw that the other day with a busted play coming out of the post. So, we definitely need that kind of player out there, communicating with the defense, getting everybody aligned. He’s definitely missed, but you know what? It’s next man up.”
Antoine Bethea, Arizona’s other veteran safety, said the defense will be in good hands regardless of who starts alongside him.
