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Key Linebacker for Arizona Cardinals, Dennis Gardeck, Sidelined for Rest of Season Due to ACL Injury

Dennis Gardeck, the Cardinals’ standout outside linebacker, is out of action for the rest of the season. The unfortunate incident occurred during Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where Gardeck sustained a severe ACL tear.

Coach Jonathan Gannon Reflects on Gardeck’s Injury

The situation is a tough pill to swallow, as acknowledged by Cardinals’ coach Jonathan Gannon. He expressed his deep sympathy for Gardeck, acknowledging the player’s dedication to his craft and the immense impact he has on the team. The injury happened during the third quarter of the game and forced Gardeck to retreat to the locker room. He later returned to the sideline, albeit in civilian attire.

Dennis Gardeck: A Vital Asset to the Cardinals

Gardeck has been an integral part of the Cardinals since 2018, having entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He is currently in the last season of a three-year contract he signed in 2022. Despite the injury cutting his season short, Gardeck managed to make significant contributions to the team. In just seven games this season, he recorded 20 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, an interception, and a forced fumble.

The Impact of Gardeck’s Absence on the Cardinals’ Defense

Gardeck’s absence is a significant blow for the Cardinals, as noted by defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. His versatile skills as a rusher, cover guy, and run defender, despite his size, will indeed be missed. However, Rallis remains optimistic about other team members stepping up to fill the void.

Gardeck is not the first Cardinals’ edge rusher to fall victim to an ACL injury this season; B.J. Ojulari suffered a similar fate in early August. Moreover, he is the fifth player from the Cardinals’ interior defense to be placed on injured reserve this season.

Cardinals’ Plan Moving Forward

In light of the recent injuries, the Cardinals plan to reconfigure their outside linebacker strategy. With Zaven Collins being the only regular outside linebacker still fit, the team will rely on Jesse Luketa, Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje, and Julian Okwara to step in and fill the gap left by Gardeck. Coach Gannon assured that the team is actively working on a game plan to best position themselves against the Miami Dolphins in their upcoming home game on Sunday.