The Arizona Cardinals have placed two key starters on injured reserve heading into their Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Veteran kicker Matt Prater will now miss at least four weeks with a left knee injury, while defensive lineman Bilal Nichols is reportedly out for the season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In a corresponding move, Arizona (2-4) signed kicker Chad Ryland to the active roster from the practice squad. Ryland has played the last two games in place of the 40-year-old Prater, connecting on 5-of-6 field goals and both of his extra points.
We have made the following roster moves:
-Placed K Matt Prater and DL Bilal Nichols on IR
-Signed K Chad Ryland to the active roster
-Released OL Austen Pleasants and TE Jordan Murray from the practice squad— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 15, 2024
The Cardinals signed Nichols to a reported three-year, $21 million deal this offseason. He  left Sunday’s 34-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the first half with a stinger. Nichols had only recorded 10 tackles through the first six weeks, as the entirety of the Cardinals defensive line has struggled all season.
Arizona had already lost DL Justin Jones (torn triceps) and OLB BJ Ojulari (torn ACL) for the year, so now its defensive line is severely depleted with only OLB Zaven Collins and DT Roy Lopez healthy of the five original d-line starters in training camp.
The Cardinals could be getting back No. 27 overall pick DL Darius Robinson (calf) soon after activating him from injured reserve last week. Robinson has yet to play this season.
Arizona will try to bounce back from its injuries and 2-4 start at home on Monday Night Football against the Chargers (3-2).
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
