Blake Gillikin is having the kind of year that deserves Pro Bowl consideration. Now he is just hoping he can be on the field.
With the punter dealing with a right ankle injury, the Cardinals signed Michael Palardy to the practice squad on Wednesday, giving the team an option to elevate for games until Gillikin is ready to return. To make room, the Cardinals released offensive lineman Keith Ismael from the practice squad.
Palardy hasn't kicked in a game since 2022, when he appeared in eight games for the Patriots -- one of which, coincidentally, was against the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, where the two teams meet again Sunday -- and averaged 42.4 yards a punt.
In 80 career games, the left-footed Palardy has averaged 44.9 yards a punt. He has played for the Panthers, Dolphins and Patriots, but has spent time in the preseason or practice squad with seven other teams.
The right-footed Gillikin was hurt on his 63-yard punt on Sunday against the Seahawks, his first and only kick of the day. Kicker Chad Ryland was forced to come in as his backup, averaging 39.0 yards on three punts.
"(You consider) all the contingency plans," special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said. "Who is going to punt, who is going to hold, can he punt, and all the situational things that go with it. There were some things that could come up but didn't. You're just trying to go through the mental checklist."
Gillikin did hold on the only place-kicking attempt after his injury, the 40-yard Ryland field-goal miss in the fourth quarter. Rodgers said the injury did not impact the hold. Coach Jonathan Gannon said the Cardinals will see how Gillikin progresses during the week to see his status for the game.
For the season, Gillikin is averaging 49.7 yards a punt with a 44.3 net, and 19 of his 38 kicks have been downed inside the 20. His net average is third in the NFL.