Hard work pays off for Arizona Cardinals' Greg Dortch in first career opener

Greg Dortch had three catches for 15 yards in five games as an Arizona Cardinal last season. On Sunday, in only the eighth game of his NFL career, Dortch set career highs in catches with seven, targets with nine and receiving yards with 63. 

All of those totals led the Cardinals in their 44-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. While understandably downplaying his numbers in a losing effort, Dortch's first appearance in a regular season opener was notable, especially after his long struggle to get noticed, get opportunities and then make the most of them to earn a roster spot on the Cardinals out of the preseason. 

"It sucks that we didn't come away with the 'W,' but I just tried to go out there and take advantage of every opportunity that I had," Dortch said. "It feels good to know that all the hard work is paying off. I just want to continue to improve and every time my number is called, just be ready for that moment."

Dortch set up a touchdown with a 24-yard catch on second-and-18 on the final play of the first quarter. He could have made a larger impact if not for an untimely stumble on a fourth down play later. The Cardinals went for a first down with 40 seconds to go in the second quarter, opting not to kick a long field goal down 20-7. 

The play call looked like it might work, but when Dortch lost his balance getting into his route, the play was broken and quarterback Kyler Murray was forced into an incomplete pass. 

The Cardinals turned it over and Kansas City drove for a field goal just before halftime. 

"It's just football. Just a play that we didn't execute. That definitely would have helped us but the play wasn't made, so we've just got to move on," Dortch said.

"I loved the play call. I thought we had it. Unfortunate that he got tripped up," Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "You can't kick field goals against them. They're really good on offense. So going in we were going to be aggressive."

Kingsbury said Dortch had some missed opportunities, "but every time he goes in he tends to find the ball, and made some catches."

Ertz limited, Brown's touchdown

Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz said he was on a snap count Sunday, coming off a calf injury. Ertz made the most of his touches, with two catches for 14 yards including a six-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with the game's outcome decided. 

"It felt great. I was on a pitch count, which was tough. Something I haven't done really in my career," the veteran said. "So it was tough to get in a rhythm early on, but it was smart. I had the calf injury early in camp and had a bad setback. So pretty much had to start from scratch, that's why it took longer than anticipated. Was able to practice twice this week, felt good enough to go, but looking forward to getting another week of practice and rolling next week."

Brown said his fourth quarter touchdown catch, his first as a Cardinal, was a product of seeing that defensive look in practice and Murray making a good throw to him.

Turning to backups 

The Cardinals were missing a number of top players due to injury on Sunday, including defensive lineman J.J. Watt, wide receiver Rondale Moore and left guard Justin Pugh and his backup Cody Ford, who went on injured reserve Saturday.

They were also shorthanded at cornerback, without Trayvon Mullen Jr. and Antonio Hamilton, who is also on injured reserve. And offensive lineman Max Garcia, signed Saturday, was pressed into service Sunday.

"We had some tough injuries leading up to the game. Guys that we expected to start, but that's everybody this time of the year, and the guys that step in there have got to play at a high level and execute at a high level, and none of us did that (Sunday)," Kingsbury said.  "When you lose some dynamic playmakers and some linemen and where you're at depth-wise at corner, it's not ideal, but that wasn't why we played so poorly. We just got out-coached, got outplayed and didn't execute like we're capable of."

Golden toe

Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden said he was limited in mobility by his previously injured toe, but didn't want to use it as an excuse. He looks forward to a full week of practice. 

As for his contract extension that was announced Friday, Golden said he wasn't thinking about it. 

"It's a blessing to be able to play. It's done. But like I said, I hurt my toe. That's why I was sitting out. I'm never that type of dude to sit out if I'm healthy," Golden said.

Little action for Williams

Cardinals running back Darrel Williams was looking forward to playing his former team, Kansas City. He ended being mainly being used on special teams and did not register a carry or a catch, despite being a big part of the Chiefs' offense last season. 

"You could have a game plan, but it doesn't always go as expected," Williams said. "We could have ran the ball more, we could've done this, we could've did that. I was hyped up to get out there and face those guys." 

Quick outs

* CB Marco Wilson left with an unspecified injury late in the game, and trainers were looking at his right leg. He got back up but did not finish the game, watching from the sideline for the last few minutes.

* Rookie TE Trey McBride was inactive Sunday. McBride was a second-round pick earlier this year but the Cardinals went with Stephen Anderson as the third tight end with Ertz and Maxx Williams. 

"He just has to keep coming. Still thinking a little bit out there. He's got the right skill set and he's working hard but we felt like the other three guys, with the numbers that we needed in other places, were the right move," Kingsbury said of McBride.

Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.