Warner, Cardinals hope for return of WR Boldin

Oct 22, 2008 - 11:19 PM TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Kurt Warner may get the services of another Pro Bowl receiver at his disposal when the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Anquan Boldin practiced again Wednesday and his veteran quarterback hopes he will be available for the first time since the wideout suffered a fractured sinus and a concussion late in the fourth quarter in a 56-35 loss to the New York Jets on September 28.

"We'd love to have him back this week," Warner said. "But most importantly just having him back healthy and on the practice field is a great feeling for all of us. We know we'll get him back at some point and that's just going to be a huge addition to our offense and who we are."

The six-year veteran had surgery to repair the fracture and wires placed in his jaw after a crunching hit by Jets' safeties Kerry Rhodes and Eric Smith knocked him out with 27 seconds left.

Warner was shaken up following the injury and said he will re-evaluate his playing career after the season.

"It was horrible. It's a horrible part of our game," Warner said. "We all understand that it's part of it and that there's always that risk and all that stuff. But to see something like that up close and personal and to feel like to some degree that you had a hand in that, it was hard on me. And it's still hard on me."

Boldin, who practiced for the first time since the injury on Monday, has passed tests for the concussion two weeks in a row, but will need clearance from surgeon Dr. Reed Day in order to play.

"We hope that he plays this week," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I think we feel good about his chances but he has to get through practice. We have to see him do some things in a football type atmosphere with his helmet on, as far as blocking guys, making catches in traffic and make sure that he feels good about being ready to play."

Boldin has 27 catches for 366 yards and shares the league lead with five touchdowns despite missing the last two games.