The debut of any first-round draft pick is notable, even if that debut doesn’t come until December.
Such is the case for defensive lineman Darius Robinson, who remains questionable for Sunday’s game in Minnesota but looks to be trending toward playing assuming nothing untoward happens before inactives are announced on game day.
Coach Jonathan Gannon wouldn’t definitively say Robinson would play when the coach spoke before practice on Friday. But “if D-Rob is able to play, we have a plan for that, how to use him, because it is his first game back and hasn’t played a snap yet,” Gannon added. “We’ve got to be smart about that, but excited about it.”
The plan figures to be a pitch count of defensive snaps, although the amount of work would be unknown.
Robinson joins a defensive line that has been manned by L.J. Collier, Roy Lopez, Dante Stills, Naquan Jones and Khyiris Tonga of late.
“I can’t wait,” Robinson said Wednesday after practice. “I watch a lot of football every Sunday and to think I will be out there one of these Sundays is exciting.”
Robinson has been careful not to give away when and if he will play. He acknowledged he doesn’t know how his stamina will be until he actually begins to play in games, even as he has made sure to run during and after practice as much as possible to get his wind up.
“He’s been practicing, but I don’t think there’s anything that will mimic the exact game,” defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. “That’s just something that you’re going to have to get out there and eventually, when it’s go time, he’s going to have to feel that.”
As to what he might look like against another team, “I don’t want to put any expectations out there,” Robinson said.
Aside from what likely will be limited snaps, Robinson also will need to be given some grace, operating on the same learning curve every rookie endures. Like fellow first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr., Robinson will probably need time to make an impact.
The Cardinals believe that will eventually happen. Robinson played a little in the preseason, and looked great in practices both intrasquad and against the Colts.
“I learned I could do this,” Robinson said. “I can compete.”
