Injury Bug Finally Catches the Arizona Cardinals
By Scott Allen
Aug. 24, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper (61) is helped off the field after breaking his leg in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
For basically the entire length of Arizona Cardinals training camp, we’ve been bragging just how lucky the Cards had been avoiding the injury bug to anyone major. That all came crashing down to an end last night in the Cards 24-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers.
First, rookie guard Jonathan Cooper broke his leg. It is feared he is lost for the season, however there is some talk he might not miss it all. Stay tuned there. Then tight end Rob Housler left the game early with a hurt leg or foot issue. Turns out he left the locker room last night with a walking boot on. Housler did say he did not believe it was a high ankle sprain.
Also leaving the game last night was receiver Andre Roberts. He apparently hurt his quad but the severity of it was not known. Rashard Mendenhall hurt his knee, the same one he injured in 2012, in the first half. He left the field on his won, however he is scheduled for an MRI today to check out the severity of that injury.
When it rains it pours. This is the third preseason in a row the Cards have lost a major player to a season-ending or possible season-ending injury. In 2011, the Cards lost rookie running back Ryan Williams and last year they lost offensive lineman Levi Brown, although I use the term “lost” lightly with him. Let’s hope for the best on these guys.