Arizona Cardinals are forced to move on without Corey Peters
By Jim Koch
The severe injury suffered by the veteran defensive tackle will put an end to his 2020 campaign with the Arizona Cardinals
This past weekend, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Buffalo Bills in dramatic fashion. It was an incredible game, and is one that every member of the “Red Sea” will cherish for years to come. Unfortunately, not every memory from that spectacular matchup will be a positive one for the Cardinals organization.
Lost in all of the joy from that Sunday afternoon was a major setback for the Arizona defense. Corey Peters, the squad’s veteran defensive tackle, suffered a torn patellar tendon during the second quarter of the win over the Bills. On Wednesday, the Cards confirmed the inevitable when they announced that the 32-year old will miss the remainder of the 2020 campaign.
Peters was the rock in the middle of a defensive unit that has had an up and down season. In nine starts this year, the 6’3, 335 pounder has contributed 15 tackles, two sacks and four quarterback hits for the Cardinals. Besides his presence on the playing field, Peters has exhibited exemplary leadership skills in the locker room as well.
This past week’s injury was not the first one for Peters since he flocked to Arizona as a free agent back in 2015. Before his career with the Redbirds could even get started, the former Atlanta Falcons draft pick tore his left Achilles tendon during training camp. Peters was placed on the injured-reserve list the day after the incident occurred, and was forced to sit out the entire ’15 campaign.
In 67 career appearances (66 starts) for the Cards, Peters racked up 146 tackles and eight sacks. During his five years with the Falcons, the former University of Kentucky product totaled 146 tackles,11 sacks and seven pass breakups.
Replacing Peters in the lineup will be far from an easy task for Vance Joseph, the Cardinals defensive coordinator. There are reports that Arizona is hosting nose tackle Domata Peko, a 35-year old who has 14 years of NFL service on his resume.
There’s a possibility that Peters has appeared in his last contest for the Cards. The former third-round selection of the Falcons is in the last season of a three-year, $12 million contract he agreed to with the Cardinals back in 2017. The franchise could ultimately elect to move on from Peters after drafting defensive tackles Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence this past April.