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Arizona Cardinals suffer huge loss with A.Q. Shipley

By Scott Allen

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Center A.Q. Shipley #53 of the Arizona Cardinals runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 11: Center A.Q. Shipley #53 of the Arizona Cardinals runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals suffered their first major injury of training camp over the weekend

It just had to be someone on the offensive line, didn’t it?  The last thing the Arizona Cardinals needed was to lose a veteran starter from the offensive line for the season.

That’s exactly what was announced on Monday, as the Cardinals have lost center A.Q. Shipley to a torn ACL for the 2018 season.  He went down in practice on Saturday.

Ever since Saturday we’ve been holding our breath hoping for the best but unfortunately preparing for the worst.  The worst was confirmed by head coach Steve Wilks on Monday.

Just a couple of days ago I was talking about how the Cardinals had not suffered any major injuries in the first week of camp.  Spoke too soon unfortunately.

Of all positions, it had to be the offensive line.  The Cardinals offensive line was makeshift all season in 2017 due to injuries.  Shipley was the one guy that managed to make it through the season.

Now, the Cardinals are left with rookie Mason Cole and Evan Boehm. Cole was the third round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Talk to anyone related to Michigan football and many are high on Cole.  The Cardinals are too but recently had felt his time wasn’t quite here yet.  Now they have no choice.

Boehm and Shipley dueled it out a couple of training camp’s ago for the starting center.  Boehm plays both guard and center but appeared not ready for either his first season.

Thew jury is still out on him but now he will need to step up and will be counted on if Cole is unable to grab hold of the spot.  Shipley was a leader on the offensive line.

Certainly there are those fans that say they could take him or leave him in regard to Shipley.  However, the guy has been solid for team over the past couple of seasons.

Next. Bulletin board material provided to Arizona Cardinals. dark

No word on whether the Cardinals will search for a veteran to replace Shipley on the roster or not.  However I would suspect they will definitely look.  I’m not sold on the Cardinals being comfortable with what they have behind Shipley on the depth chart.

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