Arizona Cardinals: Markus Golden injury devestating

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals pressures quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals pressures quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly bracing for official bad news on Monday on the knee of linebacker Markus Golden

When linebacker Markus Golden was initially injured on Sunday in the Arizona Cardinals victory over the San Francisco 49ers, it didn’t look too good.  Then he walked off, albeit gingerly, on his own.

The news that came across Sunday evening paints a bleak picture for the near future of Golden.  Mike Jurecki from arizonasports.com reported that Golden likely has torn ligaments, either a torn ACL or MCL.  He was injured after he and safety Budda Baker collided rushing 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer.

If true, Golden’s season is over.  He will have an MRI on Monday to determine just how bad it is. It’s just another blow to a team that has had a great number of injuries.  Starting right guard Mike Iupati just went on injured reserve on Saturday.

More from Raising Zona

Golden lead the Cardinals in sacks with 12.5 in 2016.  He had yet to record a sack so far over the first four weeks of the 2017 season.

Golden has instead found himself with a few offsides penalties more than anything else.  He would finish the season with 11 tackles overall.

He would be the fifth Cardinals player to go on injured reserve and the second with no chances of return.  Cornerback Ronald Zamort tore his ACL in training camp and is done for the year.

The other three players on injured reserve, Iupati, running back T.J. Logan, and running back David Johnson, all are eligible to return this season.  Only up to two of them may return per NFL rules however.

Golden will be missed despite the lack of sacks so far in the first quarter of the season.  That being said, it is now time for Kareem Martin to step up in his place.  The fourth-year linebackers has started just four games in his career to date.