As Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin continues to be hobbled by a high ankle sprain, which hasn’t kept him from playing but which has hampered his effectiveness, Boldin has missed another practice due to the condition.

Boldin has not practiced on Wednesday or on Thursday in advance of Sunday’s game at Chicago. He has said he expects to play on Sunday against the Bears.

Boldin suffered the injury October 18 against the Seahawks. Boldin has been limited to three catches in each of the two games since then.

The Cardinals got some good news when defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was able to practice on a limited basis with a back injury, a day after missing practice completely. Other Cardinals who practiced on a limited basis included safety Antrel Rolle (foot), receiver Steve Breaston (knee), defensive end Kenny Iwebema (knee), receiver Sean Morey (illness), and linebacker Gerald Hayes (back).

Full participants in practice were offensive lineman Herman Johnson (back), tight end Stephen Spach (ankle), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (finger), running back Jason Wright (thumb), guard Reggie Wells (thumb), and kicker Neil Rackers (hamstring).

It is usually a general rule that if your team plays mistake-free football, then your team normally wins. In Sunday’s game pitting the visiting Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers did what they have not done all season – play turnover-free football. And Jake Delhomme wasn’t a major factor, either.

Actually, the running attack, along with some timely defense made things easy for Delhomme and Co. as Carolina easily handled Arizona 34-21 at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner didn’t exactly have a stellar day as he was harrassed by Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers; he simply didn’t have the protection to be successful as he turned the ball over 6 times – one on a fumble and 5 via interception.

The first quarter was played evenly enough as both teams scored a tocuhdown – Carolina on a 6-yard touchdown run while Arizona got on the board via a 14-yard pass from Warner to Larod Stephens-Howling, evening things up at 7-all going nito the second quarter.

The second period was all Panthers as Stewart would score again on a 13-yard dash into the end zone, along with a 50-yard Delhomme-to-Steve Smith TD pass and an interception by Peppers, which was taken back 13 yards for a score. When the carnage ended, the Panthers were up 28-7 with 7:28 remaining in the first half; that score would stand as both teams went into halftime.

Arizona would strike back on a 1-yard Warner-to-Ben Patrick TD pass, narrowing their deficit to 28-14; however, two field goals by Panthers kicker John Kasay – one from 35 yards and one from 31 yards – would ensure the victory for Carolina.

Delhomme, as previously stated, didn’t factor much into the decision as he went 7-of-14 for 90 yards and a TD; on a related note, he left the game with a chest injury after the TD pass. Warner had arguably his worst game this season, going 27-of-46 for 242 yards with 2 TD’s but 5 interceptions. DeAngelo Williams and Stewart combined for 245 rushing yards – 158 for Williams and 87 plus two scores for Stewart; Beanie Wells led all Arizona rushers with 47 yards while Tim Hightower added 39 rushing yards and caught 8 passes for 57 yards.

Steve Smith led all Carolina receivers with 56 yards on 3 receptions; Larry Fitzgerald led Arizona with 6 receptions for 66 yards while Steve Breaston caught 6 passes for 57 yards. Carolina (3-4) plays again next Sunday when they travel to The Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Saints while Arizona (4-3) jets to Chicago to face the Bears – also on Sunday.

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin continues to be bothered by a sore ankle and was limited in practice on Thursday, as was wide receiver Steve Breaston (knee). Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who sprained an ankle against the Giants, has been a full participant in practice all week.

Tight end Stephen Spach missed the Giants game with an ankle injury, but was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s workout.

- His Family: Losing his mother to cancer in 2003 and his love for his 18-month-old son

- His High School prom and the last time he danced

- His love for new adventures and traveling

- His incredible post-season play that led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl

Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin played fewer snaps than usual Sunday because of a sprained ankle, but it would be a mistake to say his role was limited. Boldin made a couple of key receptions in the first half despite playing only in formations with three and four receivers. Boldin had three catches for 75 yards in the first half but was noticeably hobbling in the second half. “For me, it wasn’t a question of whether I was going to go or not,” Boldin said. “If I was able to move around a little bit, I was going to be out there. It got a little sore and stiff in the second half, and playing on that field turf didn’t help.”

They stopped Giants QB Eli Manning all night, forcing four Giants turnovers, including two on their last two possessions as Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled and then Manning threw a pick after the Giants appeared to be driving towards what could have been the tying score.

“Tonight,” Cardinals QB Kurt Warner said, “we definitely fed off our defense.”

Warner was 20-for-36 for 231 yards with a touchdown to running back Jason Wright that put the team up 24-14 with 2:32 left in the third quarter. The Cards were outgained by New York 327 to 288, but the turnovers by Manning helped the birds take advantage of the chances they were given.

Safety Adrian Wilson had an interception and a fumble recovery, Antrel Rolle picked off Manning to seal the win, and Wright, along with Tim Hightower and rookie Beanie Wells all found the end zone. The Cardinals (4-2) scored 17 straight points from the end of the second quarter to late in the third quarter to go up 10 points at 24-14, putting all the pressure on Manning and the Giants offense.

Arizona spent most of the night taking advantage of great field position. They had three touchdown drives that went no farther than 55 yards, taking advantage of field position via poor punting and turnovers. Their drives of 46, 55, and 20 yards were enough to hand the Giants their second straight loss to drop them to 5-2 after a 5-0 start.

Larry Fitzgerald led Arizona with 83 yards on 6 grabs, and Anquan Boldin, who was a question mark entering the game, had 3 catches for 75 yards. Wells ran for 67 yards on 14 carries with a 13-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7 with 4:18 to play in the second quarter.

The Cards are now by themselves in the NFC West, a game up on the 49ers. Next week they host the Carolina Panthers (2-4).

At least once a week, running back Tim Hightower practices kicking field goals in the event he’s called upon in an emergency. With the way kicker Neil Rackers likes to make tackles on kickoffs, Hightower might need to use the skill at some point. “Even though we have fun with it, let’s not underestimate the importance of it,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Hightower’s kicking. “If it was a critical extra point and Neil were to get knocked out covering a kick the way he does, it could be something that would be important.” It’s coincidental that Whisenhunt addressed his emergency kicker situation the week the Cardinals are playing the Giants in New Jersey.

The three-time Pro Bowl player was injured in the second quarter of Sunday’s 27-3 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle. He returned to play in the third quarter, but was removed from the game with the Cardinals comfortably ahead.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday that X-rays after the game showed no broken bones.