Will play Sunday

Dawson (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com reports.

Analysis: Dawson will play through a right hip injury that landed him on the injury report heading into the weekend, though coach Steve Wilks relayed his kicker was "fine" Friday.

Questionable for Sunday

Dawson (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: During media availability Friday, coach Steve Wilks told Urban that Dawson is "fine" and "will kick" this weekend. However, Dawson's listing indicates there's a sliver of doubt regarding his ability to play through a right hip injury. The decision on whether he'll suit up will emerge approximately 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:05 PM ET kickoff. There's no other kicker on the Cardinals' 53-man roster, but Zane Gonzalez is member of the practice squad.

Cleared to play

Dawson (hip) has been cleared to play Sunday against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: The Cardinals' expectation became obvious when fellow kicker Matthew McCrane was released Monday. There isn't much reason to consider Dawson for fantasy lineups in a road game against a likely playoff team. The 43-year-old has attempted just six field goals in nine games this season, consistently deprived of opportunities while attached to a terrible offense.

Limited in practice Wednesday

Dawson (hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson missed Sunday's loss to the Raiders due to a hip issue, and still appears to be progressing in his recovery. Though the 43-year-old's Week 12 status seems to be in question, the Cardinals' decision to release fellow kicker Matt McCrane earlier this week indicates that Dawson is expected to suit up against the Chargers.

Expected to play Week 12

Dawson (hip) is expected to play during Sunday's game against the Chargers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson missed Sunday's loss to the Raiders due to a lingering hip injury, but he appears on track to fully recover in time for Week 12. With Dawson on track to suit up, the Cardinals have released emergency kicker Matt McCrane.

Missing first game since 2009

Dawson (hip) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Raiders, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson made just one limited appearance in practice this week, which likely precipitated the signing of Matt McCrane on Saturday. The decision was a prescient one, as Dawson was unable to gain clearance from the team's training staff. In three games for the Raiders this season, McCrane connected on five of nine field-goal attempts and all five point-after tries.

Status for Sunday uncertain

The Cardinals signed kicker Matt McCrane on Saturday, shedding doubt on Dawson's (hip) status for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson has been battling the hip issue since Week 8 and is listed as questionable after being unable to practice this week. The signing of McCrane indicates the Cardinals aren't confident in Dawson's availability for Sunday's game, although the 43-year-old has yet to have any downgrade to his official designation.

Questionable for Sunday

Dawson (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Oakland, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson has been dealing with the hip injury since Week 8, although he has yet to miss a game as a result. That being said, Dawson was unable to advance beyond limited practice participation this week, making it uncertain if he'll be able to play through the issue Sunday. The Cardinals brought in former practice-squad member Matthew McCrane in for a workout Friday, so he would likely be added to the 53-man roster by Saturday if Arizona is truly worried about Dawson's ability to handle kicking…read more

Puts in limited practice

Dawson (hip) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Analysis: The limited work was a positive step for Dawson, who has been nursing the hip issue since Week 8 and was held out of Wednesday's practice session because of it. The injury has yet to force an absence this season, and with the Cardinals having yet to add another kicker to the roster, the current expectation is that Dawson will be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Absent from practice Wednesday

Dawson missed Wednesday's practice with a right hip injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Since picking up the issue while preparing for Week 8, Dawson has hit all three point-after tries and his sole field-goal attempt (a 31-yarder) across two games. Although he's proved his ability to play with a compromised hip, his production has been lacking (2.9 points per game) in support of the Cardinals' 31st-ranked scoring offense (13.8 points per game).

Kicks two extra points in loss

Dawson converted both extra-point attempts during Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Dawson logged another accurate performance, and he has not missed a kick since Week 4. Despite his reliability, the 41-year-old is not receiving the volume necessary to put up fantasy points. Dawson will see a favorable matchup against the Raiders on Sunday and will attempt to bounce back.

Perfect despite hip injury

Dawson converted his only field-goal and made his lone extra-point attempt during Sunday's 18-15 win over the 49ers.

Analysis: Dawson has now made four of six field-goal attempts in 2018, and he remains a perfect 12-for-12 on extra points. Despite his accuracy, the 41-year-old is off the fantasy radar due to low volume in Arizona's middling offense. He'll look to bounce back after a Week 9 bye.

Active Week 8

Dawson (hip) is listed as active Sunday versus the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson surprisingly was included on the Cardinals' injury report Thursday, which was followed by the signing of kicker Matt McCrane to the practice squad Friday as an emergency option. After the Cardinals opted not to make a 53-man transaction before Saturday's deadline, Dawson was more or less expected to be available Week 8. While he has just 20 points to his name in seven games this season, he could bust that trend against San Francisco's 31st-ranked scoring defense (31.1 points per game).

Trending up for Sunday

Dawson (hip) is expected to be ready for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: The Cardinals signed kicker Matthew McCrane to the practice squad Friday, but opted not to sign him to the 53-man roster prior to Saturday's transaction deadline. The veteran kicker is still officially considered questionable, but appears to be on track to play against San Francisco.

Listed as questionable

Dawson (hip) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: There's apparently some level of concern about Dawson missing the contest, as the Cardinals signed kicker Matthew McCrane to their practice squad Friday, per Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site. A promotion to the active roster before Sunday would suggest Dawson isn't on track to play. Whatever the case, there's little reason for fantasy owners to start a kicker attached to an offense playing this poorly.

Dealing with hip injury

Dawson didn't practice Thursday due to a right hip injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Analysis: According to Scott Bordow of The Athletic, the Cardinals hosted Zane Gonzalez for a workout this week. If Dawson's absence is more than a day of rest, the 43-year-old could be in danger of missing some time. Expect Friday's injury report to impart Dawson's potential to play Sunday against the 49ers.

Tallies four points

Dawson converted his lone field-goal and extra-point attempt in Thursday's 45-10 loss to the Broncos.

Analysis: Dawson got off to a solid start with a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the Cardinals offense found little breathing room most of the evening. The 43-year-old has made three of five field-goal attempts and all 11 extra points through the first seven games, but his scoring opportunities remain minimal due to Arizona's struggling offense.

Notches five points

Dawson made his only field-goal attempt and both his extra-point tries in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Vikings.

Analysis: Dawson converted from 26 yards on his lone field-goal effort. The 43-year-old is only averaging two points per game amid Arizona's rough offensive start to the season.

Held without FG attempt, knocks through four extra points

Dawson did not attempt a field goal during Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers, but the veteran did knock through each of his four extra-point attempts.

Analysis: The chances have come far and few between for Dawson, who ranked 34th in the NFL in attempts entering Sunday's contest. It's good to see him perfect following last week's two-miss performance, but Dawson's value has taken a hit due to his marginal usage thus far in 2018.

Misses two field goals Sunday

Dawson went 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra-point attempts in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: Dawson missed two field games in a game for the first time since December 2016. The veteran pulled both a 50-yard and 45-yard attempt wide right. He'll look to bounce back Sunday against the 49ers.

Knocks through a pair of extra points in loss

Dawson connected on each of his two extra-point attempts during Sunday's 16-14 loss to Chicago.

Analysis: The veteran was held without a kicking attempt in Weeks 2 and 3, so it's nice to see his leg still works following the dead period. The Cardinals offense has been a bit out of sorts, which has affected Dawson's fantasy value. Maybe the switch to rookie signal caller Josh Rosen will change the status quo in the desert and help Dawson get some added chances.

Held without an attempt for consecutive weeks

Dawson was not called upon for the second consecutive week during Sunday's 34-0 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: The Cardinals offensive ineptitude has had a carryover effect on Dawson's fantasy value. For the second straight week, Dawson was held without a field-goal or extra-point attempt. If the Cardinals can't put themselves in a position to score, Dawson's value will continue to falter.

Not called on in Week 1

Dawson did not attempt a field goal or an extra point in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Redskins.

Analysis: Dawson fell victim to the Cardinals offense struggling to move the ball. When the team finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, the lopsided scoreline forced them to try a two-point conversion instead of trotting Dawson out for an extra point. The veteran will hope to be more involved this Sunday versus the Rams.

Has one miss this preseason

Dawson has made all four extra-point attempts and one of two field goals through two preseason games.

Analysis: A 19-year veteran, Dawson is embroiled in a kicking competition with undrafted rookie Matt McCrane, who has struck true on both field-goal tries and one PAT during exhibition season. Last year, his first with the Cardinals, Dawson connected on 80 percent (32 of 40) of his field-goal attempts, the fourth-worst mark of his career and lowest since 2006. McCrane likely is present to keep Dawson honest, but the former left Kansas State as the all-time leader in field-goal percentage (88.4), so the…read more

Dawson will compete with undrafted rookie Matt McCrane for the Cardinals' placekicking job during training camp, Kyle Odegard of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Dawson, 43, is entering the second season of a two-year, $6 million contract after a 2017 campaign in which he missed three extra points and posted an 80 percent success rate on field-goal attempts, his worst efficiency since 2006. Meanwhile, McCrane has been criticized for a lack of leg strength, though he did convert 86.4 percent of his field goals during his collegiate career at Kansas State, including a 5-of-8 mark from 50 yards or longer. The Cardinals would save approximately $2 million…read more

Dawson nailed 32 of 40 field-goal attempts and 23 of 26 extra-point tries during the 2017 season.

Analysis: The Cardinals lost TD machine David Johnson (wrist) in Week 1, barely fielded a serviceable receiving corps behind Larry Fitzgerald and only had Carson Palmer under center for seven games this season. Such a hurricane of hits to the offense would seem to impact a scoring offense negatively, and indeed Arizona ranked 25th in the NFL with 18.4 points per game. Nonetheless, Dawson, who dealt with accuracy issues at times, posted the third-most points (119) in a given season in his 19-year career.…read more

Dawson made a 21-yard field goal but missed one of his three extra-point tries in Sunday's 23-0 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Dawson now sports 105 points in advance of Sunday's season finale against the Seahawks.

Dawson made field goals from 40, 35, 19, 34 and 32 yards in Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Redskins.

Analysis: Dawson was the only Cardinal to score Sunday, marking the second straight game that's happened. While that reflects poorly on Arizona's offensive efficiency, Dawson's 15 points set a new season high. Thanks to a surge of 44 points over his last four outings, Dawson now sports an even 100 points this season.

Dawson made field goals from 47, 23, 32 and 35 yards but missed a 40-yard attempt in Sunday's 12-7 win over the Titans.

Analysis: Dawson's involvement was limited to field-goal tries, but the veteran still did fairly well for him, posting his fourth double-digit performance of the season. Although he missed a kick in the process, Dawson was the only Cardinal to score in Sunday's victory.

Dawson made a 54-yard field goal and had a 45-yard attempt blocked in Sunday's 32-16 loss to the Rams. He also missed one of his two extra-point tries en route to just four points.

Analysis: Dawson has now drilled a kick from 50-plus yards in back-to-back outings, but his misses Sunday left room for improvement. Besides his season-high 13 points in Week 11, Dawson has gone for fewer than five points in three of Arizona's last four games.

Dawson converted all four of his field-goal attempts and his only extra-point try en route to 13 points in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: Dawson's season-high outing was highlighted by a 57-yarder that clinched the Cardinals' victory with one second remaining. That make marked a career-long for the 42-year-old, sending him into next Sunday's meeting with the Rams on a high note.

Dawson did not attempt a field goal but made all three of his extra points in Sunday's 31-21 loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Dawson has attempted more than one field goal in just one of his last six outings, limiting his production to mostly extra points. With a matchup against Jacksonville's top-ranked defense this Sunday, the 42-year-old's scoring opportunities figure to remain restricted.

Dawson hit a 43-yard field goal in Thursday's 22-16 loss to the Seahawks, but he missed one of two extra-point attempts.

Analysis: This was Dawson's first missed extra point of the season, and it's the third consecutive week he missed a kick of some sort. The veteran also missed field goals against the Rams and 49ers in the two previous contests. Dawson's inaccuracy isn't solely responsible for the Cardinals' loss, but if his inconsistency persists, there's reason to worry about his long-term value.