“It’s a part of the game that’s sometimes hard to accept,” Gannon said. “So obviously you have to know what he puts into the game, into his craft and into being the professional and teammate that he is. So that’s going to hurt.”
Gardeck was injured with 10:34 left in the third quarter on a punt return. He immediately went to the warehouse and then returned to the bank in boulevard clothes.
Gardeck, who is in his seventh season, all with the Cardinals, since arriving in the NFL as an undrafted independent agent in 2018, is in the final season of a three-year contract he signed in 2022. He had 20 tackles, 3 catches. , four quarterback hits, one interception and one forced fumble in seven games this season.
“He plays a lot of roles for us as a running back, as a coverage guy who is perceived as a running back, a sneaky defender despite his size,” Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. “So guys had to step up and be able to go out and make plays, those plays that he was making for us, and we feel really good that that whole room can step in.”
Gardeck is the second running back Arizona has lost this season due to an ACL injury. The alternative was once BJ Ojulari, who tore his ACL in early August. And Gardeck is the fifth member of the Cardinals’ inside safety to be injured and insured this season.
With Zaven Collins as the only healthy regular outside linebacker, Arizona will turn to Jesse Luketa, rookie Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje and Julian Okwara to fill Gardeck’s spot.
Gannon said the Cardinals will put together a plan at outside linebacker this generation that will help Arizona attack the Miami Dolphins at home on Sunday.
“I’m sure it’s going to look a little different this week,” Gannon said. “We’re in the stages of that right now, but guys will step up and be ready to go.”
Arizona has 14 sacks this season, ranking 21st in the NFL.
