With the 2024 NFL season fast approaching, the Arizona Cardinals are preparing for their Week 1 season opener against the Buffalo Bills in just 89 days at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The number 89 has been worn by many players over the years, but this season it will be donned by second-year tight end Blake Whiteheart, who is determined to make a name for himself on the field.
Despite not having made a significant impact in the NFL yet, Whiteheart is working hard to prove his worth and secure a spot on the roster as the fourth tight end on the team. Last year, he spent time on both the practice squad and active roster as a rookie free agent, gaining valuable experience that he is now building upon.
The number 89 has typically been given to players on the back end of the roster, with receivers and tight ends being common choices. However, one player who made a significant impact while wearing this number was tight end Ben Patrick, who played for the Cardinals from 2007-2010. Patrick may not be as well-known as some other players to wear this number for the team, but he left his mark during his time with Arizona. A seventh-round pick in the 2007 draft, Patrick appeared in 42 games and started 20 over four seasons. While he never had more than 15 receptions in a single season, Patrick made his mark with five postseason catches in six games, including a touchdown reception in the Super Bowl.
As fans eagerly await the start of another exciting NFL season, they are eager to see what current No. 89 Blake Whiteheart will do to contribute to the team’s success. For more insights and updates on all things Cardinals, be sure to tune into Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast “Rise Up See Red,” available now on Spotify
