Raising Zona
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The song of ‘Next Man Up’ still on repeat for Arizona Cardinals

By Mark A. Hernandez

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals is helped off the field during the second half of the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers 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 is helped off the field during the second half of the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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With Markus Golden now lost for the season due to a torn ACL, the battle cry of “Next Man Up” is now starting to sound like a broken record

As initially feared, outside linebacker Markus Golden will be out for the remainder of the season after being placed on injured-reserved Monday, as an MRI confirmed a tear in his ACL.

The loss is a significant one, as Golden led the team in sacks a year ago with 12.5.

Dubbed as a man with a “high motor,” his physical play on the field will surely be missed. “It breaks everyone’s heart [in the locker room],” coach Bruce Arians said, “because they all know how hard he plays.”

With Golden down, the next man up is 4th-year linebacker Kareem Martin. The 6-6, 272-pound North Carolina product will have huge shoes to fill for the interim. But it seems he is more than ready for the opportunity.

“I’m prepared,” Martin said. “It’s a next-man-up business; it’s a next-man-up team. In football, guys get hurt all the time.”

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With key players already on IR this season, losing Golden only adds to the frustration for a team off to a slow start this season. It also brings the question: Is Martin a sustainable replacement?

Mostly used in dime packages, he’ll be given an opportunity to show that he’s more than a situational pass-rusher. With 12 games left in the season and playoff hopes still alive, the Cardinals will need a return on their investment, as they spent a third-round pick on Martin in 2014.

I foresee opposing offenses doubling up on Chandler Jones now that Golden will be lost. So early on, Martin will have plenty of one-on-one looks. Looks, the 25-year-old should be eager to exploit.

The defense clamped down late in the game when it mattered. Something they weren’t able to do in their two losses. Life without Markus Golden will not be an easy task — but it’s one James Bettcher will need to overcome.

Let’s just hope that the song of “Next Man Up” is no longer on repeat for the rest of the season.

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