Injuries not unusual for Arizona Cardinals Marcus Gilbert

There’s a very good possibility that Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert will miss time in 2019 due to injury

The Arizona Cardinals must have been aware of what they were getting. It’s no secret that Marcus Gilbert, an offensive tackle acquired by the club in a trade back in March, is highly-susceptible to injury. In fact, the veteran’s track record indicates that there’s very little chance of him making it through the upcoming NFL schedule unscathed.

The general manager of the Cardinals apparently believes that Gilbert can remain healthy going forward. Steve Keim sent a sixth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 31-year old, with hopes that he’ll get some payback on the investment. Gilbert is being counted on to fill the hole at right tackle that was created by the release of Andre Smith last November.

Gilbert has been able to suit up for all 16 games just twice during his professional career. The former Florida Gator has been completely undependable during his eight campaigns in the league, thanks to a variety of injuries . Despite all of that, Gilbert did manage to start 87 times for the Steelers, an impressive number considering all of the time that he has spent on the sidelines.

As a rookie in 2011, Gilbert missed time with a shoulder ailment. The next season, in 2012, the former second-round selection sat out 11 weeks due to knee and ankle troubles. Two years later, in 2014, Gilbert missed four matchups because of a concussion and a sprained ankle.

More ankle problems caused Gilbert to be shelved for three more games in 2016. A pulled hamstring cost the tackle another five contests in 2017. Last year, Gilbert was sidelined for 11 matchups when a bum knee landed him on the injured-reserve list.

It’s fairly obvious that the Cards’ front office received damaged goods in the trade with Pittsburgh. All Keim and company can do is hope for the best. With a little luck, Gilbert will transform into the ironman that Arizona is going to need him to be in 2019.