The unfortunate injuries for the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive line continue to stack up after their 17-15 Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, “#AZCardinals LB Dennis Gardeck tore his ACL last night, sources say. Tough loss for Arizona, as the seventh-year veteran had three sack, an interception and a fumble forced in seven games this season.”
#AZCardinals LB Dennis Gardeck tore his ACL last night, sources say. Tough loss for Arizona, as the seventh-year veteran had three sack, an interception and a fumble forced in seven games this season. pic.twitter.com/2D0ZLTE5Fp
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 22, 2024
Gardeck, the Cardinals’ sack leader this season, hurt himself on a punt during the Chargers game after recording three tackles and a quarterback hit. He played in all seven games this season at the outside linebacker spot, filling in for BJ Ojulari, who tore his ACL in the preseason. Gardeck tore his right ACL in the 2020 season.
Arizona has already lost DL Justin Jones (torn triceps) and DL Bilal Nichols (stinger) for the year, so now its defensive line is severely depleted. Only OLB Zaven Collins and DT Roy Lopez are currently healthy of the five original d-line starters in training camp. First-round rookie Darius Robinson is yet to play this season with a calf injury, but the Cardinals did open his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve after Week 5.
Gardeck has spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the Cardinals after going undrafted out of Sioux Falls College. He had recorded 22 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and four QB hits this year.
Even with all the injuries on the defensive line, Arizona has yet to make a big move to bring someone in, so we will see if this propels it to do so. 2022 seventh-round pick Jessse Luketa and midseason addition Julian Okwara are next up on the depth chart behind Gardeck.
The Cardinals are currently 3-4 on the year and in second place in the NFC West. They next travel to play the Miami Dolphins (2-4) in Week 8.
Cardinals’ strong defensive effort leads to 17-15 victory over Chargers
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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
