Former Lions quarterback David Blough getting shot to start for Cardinals Sunday

With nothing to lose for himself or the team, former Lions quarterback David Blough will start on Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals.

At final roster cuts before the season, the Detroit Lions lost David Blough to the practice squad of the division rival Minnesota Vikings. When the Arizona Cardinals lost Kyler Murray to a torn ACL in mid-December, they signed Blough off the Vikings’ practice squad to add another arm to the mix.

Trace McSorley started in Week 16, as Colt McCoy dealt with a concussion. McCoy had been tentatively expected to play this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, but on Friday that changed. Instead Blough will start, just over two weeks after landing with Arizona.

At 4-11 and playing out the string of a disappointing season, Blough will be the fourth straight different starting quarterback for the Cardinals–following Murray (Week 14), McCoy (Week 15) and McSorley (Week 16).

Former Lions quarterback David Blough ready to ‘cut it loose’ for the Cardinals

On Friday, via Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports, Blough talked about his starting opportunity.

"Learning a new offense anywhere you go is the first goal of a quarterback. You come in and pride yourself on studying it and working it and I feel comfortable,To be standing here before you, I’m blessed,” the QB added. “I’m thankful for everybody … who have helped me stand where I’m standing right now with this opportunity this week. I hope they all know I’m just going to cut it loose and are proud. I’m just thankful."

Blough started five games for the Lions as a rookie in 2019, after Matthew Stafford was sidelined by a back injury, completing 54 percent of his passes for 984 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions. He did have a memorable 75-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day that year, and that’s the clear highlight of his NFL career thus far.

Blough has not attempted a regular season pass since Week 16 of the 2020 season with the Lions.

Blough should absolutely be looking forward to the opportunity to play. Unless he is injured against the Falcons, Sunday’s start could easily lead to another in the Cardinals’ regular season finale against the San Francisco 49ers.