GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals lost key defensive lineman L.J. Collier due to knee injury suffered in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. The 6’2, 300 pounder was an essential, veteran presence for the D-line. His absence leaves a hole that should open the door for more opportunity to other defensive lineman, like 2nd-year defensive end Darius Robinson.
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Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson (56) against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Can Robinson finally live up to first-round hype for Cardinals:
Robinson has averaged 43 defensive snaps in the first two games, which might surprise Cardinals fans because his impact on the field has been non-existent. In 86 plays, the 24-year-old has recorded one tackle. The former first-round pick hasn’t recorded a quarterback hurry or hit this year, with still only one career sack.
Dec 22, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson (56) rushes as Carolina Panthers guard Brady Christensen (70) and guard Robert Hunt (50) defend in overtime at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The 6’5, 285-pound edge was a former SEC defensive player of the year for his prowess to get to the quarterback. However, he hasn’t lived up to that production in the NFL. Injuries and a personal matter slowed him down his rookie season, but reports indicated that coaches were excited to see how Robinson develops in his sophomore season, and its been a bust so far.
Arizona has invested plenty of money and draft assets into the defensive front and as a unit have four sacks to show for it, two of which coming from 39-year-old Calais Campbell. The production is fine, but the Cardinals need one of its young prospects to step up into that role and cause havoc in the trenches. Robinson hasn’t been able to do that, but against a banged up San Francisco 49ers squad, who gave up three sacks last week, could open the door for him to have a career day.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
