--OLB Victor Hobson signed a contract through next year on Wednesday, bolstering the team's depth. The Cardinals have suffered injuries that have robbed them of depth at the outside linebacker spots. Clark Haggans is out for the year with a foot injury, and Travis LaBoy missed last week's game with an ankle sprain.

--K Neil Rackers is having a solid season. He's made 19 of his last 20 field goals and his array of kicks gives the club a lot of options on kickoffs. He's adept at onside kickers, pooch kicks and kicking deep.

--QB Kurt Warner has struggled late in the year, partly because he hasn't had much time to throw. Teams are keeping safeties back and forcing Warner to throw underneath or in mid-range. That's not his strength.

--C Lyle Sendlein has struggled for much of the year, and the club needs to look for an upgrade this off-season. Sendlein has just been overpowered too often.

--The outside linebacker spots, once team strengths, have been thinned due to injuries. Travis LaBoy, the weakside starter, is coping with an ankle injury. Bertrand Berry is starting in his place. Clark Haggans, a backup on the strong side, is out for the year with a foot injury. Monty Beisel is now backing up Chike Okeafor.

--CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has played well this season, showing steady progress throughout the season.

GAME PLAN: Offensively, look for the Cardinals to return to their strength: passing the football. They've dabbled with trying to run it in recent weeks, but haven't had much luck. They would be smart to return to what they do best and that's spread the field with receivers and let Kurt Warner got to work.

Game plans won't lead to a better defensive unit. This group just needs to do the fundamental things better. It needs to get off blocks and it needs to tackle. It needs to start playing with some passion and desire. The front seven need to start making plays at the line scrimmage or behind the line.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin vs. Seahawks secondary -- Boldin missed last week's game against the Patriots with a sore shoulder, but it's expected he will play against Seattle. Boldin has not played well over the past month, but he's had some big days against Seattle.

Cardinals DE Darnell Dockett vs. Seahawks RT Ray Willis: Dockett is the team's most gifted lineman, but he hasn't made many plays over the past month. Seattle is hurting up front and Dockett has to win this battle.

Seahawks RB Maurice Morris vs. Cardinals SS Adrian Wilson: Wilson will move near scrimmage in some run situations and more often in passing situations. Morris is fast and has been effective of late.

INJURY IMPACT:

--WR Anquan Boldin has returned to practice since suffering a shoulder sprain against the Vikings more than a week ago. Boldin missed last week's game against the Patriots but coaches are hopeful he can participate in practice by the end of the week. He likely will be questionable for this weekend.

--TE Stephen Spach has a sprained ankle and might not be able to play this Sunday. Leonard Pope and Ben Patrick could fill that position.

--RB J.J. Arrington practiced this week after missing last week's game against the Patriots with a knee injury. Arrington is the team's main running back in the spread formation.

--S Matt Ware has a calf injury that might cause him to miss Sunday's game. He is a solid special teams player and plays in certain dime packages.

--S Aaron Francisco suffered a rib injury last week and likely will be questionable this week.

--DE/OLB Travis LaBoy is nursing a continuing ankle injury and might not play this week. He missed last week's game against the Patriots.

--CB Rod Hood suffered a knee injury last week against the Patriots but coaches are optimistic that he'll be able to play this week.