Benwikere played well in preseason and earlier in the year, eventually supplanting Jamar Taylor – who was released last week – in the starting lineup. But he gave up a crucial bomb late in the loss to the Raiders, leading to the game-winning field goal, and then seemed to get lost in coverage on Philip Rivers' first touchdown pass Sunday before being benched for David Amerson.

Wilks noted Benwikere's solid early play, "but as the year has gone on you can see the inconsistency there," Wilks said.

"You can continue to sit there and allow it to happen (but) as a head coach, it's my responsibility to try to do what's best for the team," Wilks added.

Smith started seven games, missing three with an elbow injury. He had a poor game in Kansas City two weeks ago, allowing a sack, six pressures and was flagged for holding three times. Against the Chargers, he allowed two sacks and two pressures.

"You saw the inconsistency there," Wilks said of Smith.

The Cardinals are expected to get left tackle D.J. Humphries back this week from a knee injury, and will move rookie Korey Cunningham – who "deserves" a chance to play, Wilks said – to the right side after two solid replacement games for Humphries on the left side.

Dawson, scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season, has been dealing with a hip injury for a few weeks. He made 1-of-2 field goals Sunday in Los Angeles, but the missed 46-yarder became a turning point in the game as the Cardinals were unable to recover after that point.

On the season, Dawson made all 15 of his extra points and was 5-of-8 on field goals, making 1-of-4 from 40 yards or longer.

Wilks said the Cardinals are going to try to "evolve," including assessments of inexperienced players on the roster.

"Right now, at 2-9, you've got to try and do everything you can to try and win a football game," Wilks said, "but also look toward the future."

INJURY UPDATE