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Down to third-string QB, Cardinals to take on Redskins

Oct 21, 2007 - 10:29 AM Arizona (3-3) at Washington (3-2) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- Two weeks ago, the Arizona Cardinals had a dilemma as to who to start at quarterback. Now they just face a dilemma.

With Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner suffering injuries in successive weeks, the Cardinals will be forced to start Tim Rattay when they travel cross country to meet the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Rattay, who was signed on October 9 in the wake of a season-ending injury to Leinart, was pressed into service Sunday when Warner suffered a torn ligament in his non-throwing elbow.

As expected, Rattay struggled in the 25-10 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, completing 12-of-24 passes for 159 yards and three interceptions.

Still, Arizona managed to hang tough until the Panthers scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter behind 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde.

Rattay should get a boost from wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is expected to return after missing three games with a hip injury.

Fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald has flourished in Boldin's absence, hauling in 25 receptions for 353 yards and a touchdown in the three games. He leads the NFC with 40 catches and 545 yards.

The Redskins likely will see a heavy dose of running back Edgerrin James, who is second in the NFC in rushing with 522 yards and has scored four touchdowns.

Washington is coming off a frustrating 17-14 defeat at Green Bay. The game-turning play came when Packers cornerback Charles Woodson returned a fumble by Santana Moss 57 yards for the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter.

"We lost a major opportunity," Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell said. "We had all the opportunities to win the game and we didn't make the plays."

Campbell completed 21-of-37 passes for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but was hurt by at least six dropped passes. Tight end Chris Cooley was his top target with nine receptions for 101 yards, including a touchdown.

Washington, which had held four of its five opponents to 17 points or fewer, needs to get its ground game going.

Clinton Portis scored a touchdown in each of his first three games but has yet to crack 100 yards this season. He rushed for just 64 yards on 20 carries against the Packers.

Safety Sean Taylor has at least one interception in his last three games, including two last week.