TAMPA, Fla. – Before he was even halfway through his rookie NFL season a year ago, Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk put the franchise, its fans and the league on notice when he said it was his sole intention to eventually follow in Larry Fitzgerald’s footsteps and become Arizona’s next No. 1 wideout.
Those are some mighty big cleats to fill, but Kirk walked the walk on Sunday during a 30-27 loss here to the Buccaneers, catching six passes for a game-high 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Kirk suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss three consecutive games earlier this season – three games that the Cardinals just happened to win – and that played on his mind while trying to help the Cardinals avoid losing for a third straight time.