TEMPE, Ariz. — For the second straight day, the Arizona Cardinals learned they could be without one of their players for the start of the 2024 season.
On Friday, wide receiver Zay Jones was suspended by the NFL for five games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Now, rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson may miss the first four games of the 2024 season due to a calf injury, according to a new report from NFL Network's Ian Rapaport.
"(Arizona Cardinals) first-round (defensive lineman) Darius Robinson suffered a calf injury that is considered a multi-week injury after scans, sources say," a post from Rapoport on X, formerly Twitter, read. "(It's) possible he could begin the season on Injured Reserve. If so, the earliest return would be Week 5."
Robinson suffered the calf injury during practice at the Cardinals' facility on Thursday. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the news during a press conference on Friday and said Robinson was getting imaging on the injury.
No details have been released about what exact injury Robinson suffered.
If Robinson is placed on IR, it will not impact his spot on the Cardinals' 53-man roster. A new rule for 2024 means that if Robinson is placed on IR and before the Cardinals finalize their 53-man roster, he can return during the season, according to AZCardinals.com senior writer Darren Urban. Teams can use this rule for up to two players. In previous seasons, Robinson would have needed to be named to the 53-man roster and then be placed on IR if he were going to return during the season.
According to NFL rules, if Robinson is placed on IR, he must miss at least four games, meaning the earliest he could return is Week 5 when the Cardinals go on the road to play the San Francisco 49ers.
The Cardinals selected Robinson with the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in April. He played college football at Missouri.
Robinson signed a four-year, $13.86 million contract with the Cardinals in May.
Arizona opens their season on Sept. 8 on the road against the Buffalo Bills.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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