Zach Buchanan

azcentral sports

Ted Larsen was a free-agent signee brought in by the Cardinals this offseason for depth on the offensive line. Jonathan Cooper was the team's seventh-overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Guess which one will be starting at left guard in the season opener against the San Diego Chargers on Monday night.

"I don't care about draft status," Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said. "I want to see the results on the field, and Ted Larsen's way outplayed (Cooper)."

Larsen earned favor in training camp after filling in for center Lyle Sendlein. When Sendlein returned from injury a couple of weeks ago, the team was so enamored of Larson's play that they moved him to left guard.

At that time, Cooper was sidelined with a case of turf toe that is still troubling him. He also missed all of last season with a broken leg. After missing Arizona's second and third preseason games, Cooper was prodded by Arians, through the media, to get on the field.

Cooper played in the preseason finale against the Chargers, but still has a ways to go to earn a starting spot.

"His play before the injury wasn't stellar," Arians said. "It looked like a guy that was coming back off a year's injury. He's going to be a heck of a player. It's just a matter of time and taking the right approach with him and letting him get healthy."

Cooper understands the decision.

"I've still got a lot of work to do to get to the level that they expect as a starter and pro in the NFL," he said. "I've got work to do and I completely understand it. It doesn't make me any less hungry, so I've just got to continue to work."

Exactly how he's going to get that work, at least on any meaningful level, is hard to forecast. Teams generally limit contact in practices during the regular season, meaning it would be hard for a lineman to show significant improvement.

Copper may have to wait until an injury opens up a spot in the starting lineup.

"You only get to go in pads one day a week, unless somebody gets hurt," Arians said. "Now, he better be ready if somebody goes down. That's probably going to be his best opportunity right now."

If there's a bright spot for Cooper, it's that the turf toe is becoming less of an issue. He still has the toe wrapped, but it hasn't bothered him as much as it did a few weeks ago and he's optimistic it won't require offseason surgery.

The more confidence he gains on it, the more he feels he can improve.

"Even today one of the coaches was telling me he sees that I look more comfortable out there and I'm moving around a little better," he said. "It's still there a little bit, but I'm definitely starting to run and get after plays and maybe have a little less of a hobble, so it's starting to get a lot better."

Wilson visits

Former Cardinals Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson watched Wednesday's practice with General Manager Steve Keim and there are rumblings that Wilson may sign a one-day contract soon to retire as a member of the Cardinals. Wilson could also be in play for a yet-to-be-determined administrative role with the team.

Wilson spent 2001-12 with the Cardinals, making five Pro Bowls and earning three All-Pro nods. He was released in March of 2013 and went on to sign with the New England Patriots, where he landed on injured-reserve before the season due to a ruptured Achilles' tendon. He was in training camp with the Chicago Bears this summer before being released last week.

UP NEXT

Who: Chargers (0-0) at Cardinals (0-0)

When: Monday at 7:20 p.m.

Where: University of Phoenix Stadium.

TV: ESPN, Ch. 3