Injury Woes: Cardinals’ Top Draft Pick Facing Season-Opening Setback

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals face a challenging start to the 2024 season, with injuries and suspensions impacting their roster. Fresh off news that wide receiver Zay Jones has been suspended for five games due to a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the team is now bracing for the potential absence of rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

Robinson suffered a calf injury during practice on Thursday, prompting concerns about his availability for the season opener. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the injury is significant enough to be classified as “multi-week.” As a result, there’s a possibility Robinson could begin his career on Injured Reserve (IR), which, if enforced, would sideline him for a minimum of four games.

“Darius Robinson’s injury will be monitored closely,” Rapoport stated in a post shared via X (formerly Twitter). “If he is placed on IR, the earliest he could return would be Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers.” This new roster rule allows teams to effectively manage player injuries while keeping their options open as the season progresses.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Robinson’s condition during a media briefing, indicating that imaging tests were conducted to assess the injury’s severity. Specific details have yet to be released about the type of calf injury, keeping fans and analysts on alert regarding the rookie’s prognosis.

Robinson was drafted 27th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after a successful college career at Missouri. He signed a four-year contract worth $13.86 million with the Cardinals earlier this year, looking to make an immediate impact on the team’s defensive line.

The Cardinals will kick off their season on September 8, facing the Buffalo Bills on the road. With injuries and suspensions shaking up their lineup, how well the team adapts will be a key story to follow as the season unfolds.

Beyond football, Arizona offers a vibrant sports culture, hosting franchises across various leagues, including the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, the MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Major sporting events like the WM Phoenix Open and college football’s Fiesta Bowl further enrich the Valley’s sports landscape.