Okay, so you think you have depth at a position, right? The Arizona Cardinals certainly did with their receiver room, even trading away Marv Harrison to thin it out a bit. But now, it feels like everything is just… *poof*. Word is out that WR Jalen Brooks needed emergency wrist surgery. He’s done for the entire season. Just like that.
The Play That Changed Everything For Brooks
This whole mess traces back to Sunday, October 25, against the Denver Broncos. There were only 2:09 left in the game. Brooks caught a short pass and absolutely rumbled for 35 yards, getting all the way down to Denver’s one-yard line. He was trying to extend the ball, trying to break the plane for that touchdown, when he got hit and stopped just short. Imagine the pain, the frustration, ending up one yard shy. After the game, he was visibly uncomfortable in the locker room, and it makes sense now why. He either sprained or fractured that wrist. We know it was bad because he had surgery on Monday. Talk about a brutal end to a drive, and a season. Brooks himself posted on Instagram, “Have to get an emergency surgery on my wrist. I don’t need any phone calls. Just Prayer. I’ll be done for the season. God is in control of my next steps. Much love.”
From Preseason Darling to Sidelines
Brooks, the 26-year-old receiver, was the *darling* of this year’s preseason. The Cardinals coaching staff saw him as a key reason they could even move on from Harrison, who apparently didn’t fit the new offense. Brooks, along with Kendrick Bourne, was supposed to pick up a huge chunk of the workload. This season, he played in all seven games, but get this, *zero starts*. He saw 17 targets, hauling in five receptions for 81 yards, an average of 16.2 yards per catch, 26 YAC, and converted three first downs. He had one drop, but his targets were definitely increasing once Harrison was out of the picture. He was finally starting to get his moment, and then this. What a gut punch for the guy and for the team.
So, who steps up now? Simi Fehoko, who’s mostly been on special teams, is gonna fill Brooks’ role. Plus, they’ve got rookie Reggie Virgil and kick returner Devin Duvernay on the active roster, with Harrison Wallace and Shedrick Jackson listed on the practice squad. It’s a huge blow to a receiving corps that was already in transition. This team is gonna have to figure out their next steps fast to keep their offense moving. It always feels like one step forward, two steps back sometimes, doesn’t it?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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