TEMPE, Ariz. -- Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin says he has "moved on" after Sunday's critical comments directed at coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff.
Boldin said he has no regrets about those comments.
"I said what I had to say, and I'm done with it," Boldin said Wednesday. "For me, it's not even an issue. That was Sunday, and I've moved on."
The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was held out of Sunday's 41-21 victory at Chicago because of a sprained right ankle and complained afterward that "no one was man enough" to tell him he was inactive. Boldin said he felt good enough to play and only found out he wasn't when he returned to his locker after warmups and discovered his gear was gone.
Whisenhunt said after the game that he told Boldin he wouldn't play against the Bears shortly after the inactive list was submitted. The coach didn't want to revisit the incident Wednesday.
"I have no issues with Anquan," Whisenhunt said. "He's a good football player, and I'm just glad to see him back out there practicing today."
Boldin was a full participant in practice Wednesday, and Whisenhunt said he expected the receiver to play in Sunday's home game against the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks.
"My injury's fine. It's not even an injury," Boldin said. "I'm feeling great. I can make every cut without hesitation, so I'm good."
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Boldin injured his ankle during the Cardinals' 28-21 victory over the Houston Texans on Oct. 11. He still played in the subsequent games against the Seahawks and the New York Giants, but he took a direct hit on the ankle during a Nov. 1 home loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Boldin sat out practice last Wednesday and Thursday but was able to go on a limited basis Friday. Whisenhunt said he decided to sit Boldin because of the soft conditions of the turf in Chicago, which he believed could lead to aggravating the ankle injury.
Boldin's post-game criticism was just the latest in a series of issues for the receiver, who remains upset that Arizona hasn't signed him to a new contract, something he insists management promised to do. He has one more year left on his deal after this season.
Boldin has been plagued by injuries, including the nasty facial fracture that came at the end of last year's loss to the New York Jets. The injury required reconstructive surgery, but he only missed one game.
Boldin also injured a hamstring during a 71-yard touchdown pass play in the first-round playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons and sat out the second-round win at Carolina.
Then came the NFC Championship Game, when Boldin had a nationally televised shouting match with then-offensive coordinator Todd Haley on the sidelines because the receiver wasn't in the game during what turned out to be the winning touchdown drive. He immediately left that game, not celebrating with his teammates.
Against the Panthers this season, Boldin broke Larry Centers' franchise record for career receptions. Afterward, he said the record doesn't mean anything to him.
Despite his off-the-field attitude, Boldin has played with his usual effort and intensity. No one has accused him of letting his feelings toward the organization affect his performance on the field.
"Anybody who plays football risks injury," Boldin said. "Every play, you're out there risking not only injury but your life. That's just football. You have to take the bumps and bruises and get back as quickly as possible, and that's what I try to do whenever I'm injured."
Boldin, who's in his seventh season with Arizona, disputes the notion that his hard-nosed style makes him more susceptible to injuries, a perception that could affect the Cardinals' or any other team's desire to sign him to the big-money, long-term deal he desires.
"People always have an opinion, no matter how you play the game," Boldin said. "People talked about Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce for sliding on the turf, not taking hits. Guys that do mix it up a little bit, people have a problem with that. You just have to be you. I'm comfortable with who I am. I'm comfortable with the way I play the game, and that won't change."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
