Cardinals DE Calais Campbell Hopes To Play

Oct 13, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) signals to the crowd as he is carted off the field after an injury during the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 32-20. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell hopes to play this week after suffering what Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians calls a “bruised spine.”

Campbell was carted off the field Sunday afternoon late in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers. The 6′ 8″ 300lb defensive end was attempting to force a fumble on 49ers running back Frank Gore, when he was hit. Campbell lost some of the sensation in his limbs and was immediately attended to on the field.

After some moments of concern, Campbell said the feeling returned to his body and he wanted to stand up, however the trainers did not allow him for precautionary reasons. Campbell gave a thumbs up and “felt a lot of love” as he left the field, unaware that Niners fans at Candlestick Park were doing the wave while he was down. He was taken to Stanford Hospital and returned home on team president Michael Bidwill’s plane later that night.

Tests came back negative from the hospital Sunday night, but Campbell is not yet cleared to play. He attended the Monday morning team meeting at the practice facility in Tempe, as well as another doctor’s appointment.

“My goal is to play Thursday,” Campbell said ” I am very hopeful right now.”

The Cards host the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night in a key division battle. Campbell has recorded 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks this season.