GLENDALE – Despite leaving the Big Easy and Week 1 with the win, the Arizona Cardinals lost a major part of their roster. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced to the media on Wednesday that team captain Joey Blount will be placed on IR and out for the year. Blount had a scary collision with rookie linebacker Cody Simon during Sunday’s game that knocked him out vs. the Saints, and now, the rest of the 2025 season.
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Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Joey Blount (32) against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cardinals HC Gannon on losing Blount for the year:
“Okay, on the injury front here, Joey Blount is going to go to IR. He’ll be done for the year,” Gannon said. “Captain too. That’s tough – it’s part of the game but it never gets easy. Some guys are gonna have to step up and assume his role. But I feel good about it. He played a lot, he wore a lot of hats on game day so we’re gonna have to figure that out. But guys are ready to assume the role and step in and play well.”
Arizona Cardinals safeties Joey Blount (32) and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (42) celebrate after beating the New York Jets 31-6 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 10, 2024.
Blount was Arizona’s key special teams leader. Of the 15 games he appeared in last season, Blount played 70% of his snaps on special teams. His role can’t be understated, as Gannon said that winning a game isn’t just based on premier skill players but everyone wearing the Cardinals jersey, which Blount illustrated as one of the best.
Gannon will have to re-evaluate Blount’s position as the gunner, possibility looking at wide receiver Greg Dortch to replace him. After Blount was taken out vs. Saints, Dortch stepped up in that role and impressed Gannon enough to likely earn the position against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
