Cody Ford Starts Only Days Following Trade

Cody Ford had a busy week after getting traded to the Arizona Cardinals and starting in Saturday's preseason game.

Arizona Cardinals guard Cody Ford started Saturday’s preseason game only six days after the team acquired him in a trade.

The former Buffalo Bills lineman had a whirlwind week, but one wouldn’t be able to tell from his output in Tennessee against the Titans.

The former Oklahoma Sooner took his spot at left guard and led the way for running back Eno Benjamin on a 6-yard carry during his first snap.

The Cardinals drove and scored a touchdown on their opening possession, capped by a Darrel Williams 1-yard rush. Ford had a key block.

.@AZCardinals find the end zone on their first drive of the game!@darrelwilliams_ | #BirdCityFootball

📱: Stream #AZvsTEN on NFL+ https://t.co/GnlMJhV5Dm pic.twitter.com/yAh6nFgfba

— NFL (@NFL) August 27, 2022

Ford is a big player at 329 pounds and the Cardinals like the physicality he brings to the table.

"I've been impressed," head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Thursday. "To step in and pick things up and be able to participate really on his first day against another team, he did a nice job. Just gotta keep him coming along.

"We love the way he plays, his physical nature."

The fourth-year lineman’s Cardinals debut was brief as he came out of the game after one series, but it was a promising start. 

The Cardinals added him for offensive line depth heading into the season after experiencing multiple injuries at the position group this training camp.

Arizona’s offensive line also fluctuated last year due to injuries and COVID-19 cases.

Ford has played both on the outside and inside and said this week he feels comfortable at right tackle and both guard spots.

He said Arizona’s veteran offensive linemen have helped him catch up on the playbook and got some run with the starters during a joint practice in Tennessee on Wednesday.