Cardinals rookie guard Chase Bisontis is officially done for his entire first season, a brutal blow for the team’s offensive line plans. The second-round pick landed on season-ending injured reserve this Saturday, after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Thursday night. It’s a gut punch no team wants to face, especially with a high draft pick before the season even truly gets going.
A Rookie’s Season Over Before It Began
This is a tough pill to swallow for Bisontis, of course, but it’s also a significant hit to the Cardinals’ offensive line depth. He was listed as the second-team right guard, battling Isaiah Adams for that crucial starting spot. Now, that competition is completely off the table before it even really began, leaving Jon Gaines II and Hayden Conner as the next guys up to fill the void. Coach Mike LaFleur didn’t mince words about the situation, saying Bisontis “will be out for a good amount of time, if not the whole year.” He summed up the frustration perfectly: “Sucks for him. Always think about the player first. Sucks for the Cardinals, too. He’s a good player, but more importantly, you hate it for the player.” Losing a promising high draft pick so early is a tough break, especially when he was already pushing for a key role on the line.
Immediate Roster Moves and What’s Next for Arizona
The Cardinals had a choice here: they could have waited until final roster cuts to place Bisontis on IR, potentially opening a slim chance for a late-season return. However, they made the call not to rush his recovery post-surgery, prioritizing his long-term health. That’s a decision that speaks volumes about their commitment to the player, even if it costs them his rookie campaign. Bisontis wasn’t the only one headed to IR either; linebacker Austin Keys (undisclosed) and tight end Jameson Geers (thumb) also joined him. To quickly fill those roster spots, the Cardinals made a few corresponding moves, signing tight end Baylor Cupp, running back Tre Stewart, and defensive lineman Keveion’ta Spears. These are depth acquisitions, no doubt, but they highlight how swiftly teams have to adapt when key players go down.
Losing a second-round talent like Bisontis before he even plays a snap in the regular season is a real test for the Cardinals’ offensive line. They will have to lean hard on their next-in-line guards and hope these new signings can provide immediate value to the roster. It’s a truly tough start to what was supposed to be a promising rookie campaign for Bisontis, and now the rest of the offensive line has to step up big time to carry the load. This definitely puts some serious pressure on the guys fighting for those interior spots.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply