Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon informed the media on Friday that first-round defensive lineman Darius Robinson sustained a calf injury during practice the previous day.
“Reports about the injury came from the closed portion of practice, which I’m not too pleased about,” Gannon said. “I appreciate the media members who followed our policy and did not report on it. Robinson is undergoing imaging today for his calf injury.
Yesterday, Howard Balzer of Cards Wire reported that Robinson would undergo imaging today to assess the severity of an unspecified injury sustained during Thursday’s practice. His colleague, Chuck Harris, noted that Robinson was carted off the field.
The Cardinals have already lost second-year outside linebacker BJ Ojulari to a torn ACL earlier this offseason, making Robinson’s potential absence a significant blow if he is placed on injured reserve or sidelined for an extended period.
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On the team’s initial depth chart released earlier this month, Robinson was listed as a backup defensive tackle behind new addition Bilal Nichols. Despite the depth on the interior defensive line, which includes Nichols, free-agent signees Justin Jones and Khyiris Tonga, and returning players Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, and L.J. Collier, Robinson was anticipated to play a major role and possibly start by the season due to his strong performance in camp, depending on the nature of his injury.
“He’s an exceptional talent,” Collier said about Robinson (via AZCardinals.com). “I believe he’s going to have a standout season. He could even be a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year if he continues on the path he’s on.”
The Cardinals will face the Broncos in their preseason finale this Sunday (Aug. 25) at 1:30 p.m. MST on CBS.
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