GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals linebacker BJ Ojulari is out for the season after suffering a knee injury during training camp.
Coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Ojulari's injury on Saturday and said the second-year player would need season-ending surgery.
“Obviously, feel bad for him, for the team,” Gannon said. “He did a lot of work this offseason and was going to be a big part of what we do. But he'll come back stronger, ready to go, better than ever next year.”
The 6-foot-2, 248-pound Ojulari played in all 17 games during his rookie season, finishing with four sacks. He was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft out of LSU.
It's a setback for a defense that's hoping to take a step forward in Gannon's second season. Arizona went 4-13 in 2023, giving up nearly 27 points per game.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
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. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
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 on a yearly basis, 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.
