The Cardinals were counting on their own players’ development to improve their pass rush this season.
The guy they were counting on the most won’t be a part of it.
Second-year outside linebacker BJ Ojulari hurt his left knee at practice on Friday, coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Saturday, and will miss the season. Ojulari was rushing the passer and battling right tackle Jonah Williams when he went down in obvious distress. Multiple reports said Ojulari tore his ACL.
The Cardinals, who already had an open roster spot and will have a second once they put Ojulari on Injured Reserve, figure to already have been looking at potential signees.
“Obviously, I feel bad for him and for the team,” Gannon said. “He did a lot of work in the offseason and was going to be a big part of what we do, but he will come back stronger and better than ever next year.”
The Cardinals have a laundry list of similar options at the edge after staying relatively pat at the position during the offseason. Veteran Zaven Collins will start on one side — presumably across from Ojulari when healthy — and the roster includes Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Jesse Luketa, Cam Thomas, Tyreke Smith and fifth-round draft pick Xavier Thomas.
Inside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. has also spent time on the edge last season with the Patriots and is supremely confident in his pass-rush abilities. “It’s a different feeling when I’m on the edge,” Wilson said before camp. “If I get a good get off, it’s a wrap.”
Among the veterans still on the market are Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Lawson, and Charles Harris. All three are 29, a bit older than the free agents GM Monti Ossenfort has shown he prefers to acquire.
“We’ve got to figure it out,” Gannon said. “That’s our job. We’ll always do what is best for the team.”
Finding a player who can do all the things the Cardinals ask of their outside linebackers, however, must be factored into the equation.
Friday before practice, defensive coordinator Nick Rallis had praised Ojulari for having the “complete skillset” to do what the Cardinals require of an outside linebacker, saying he is better in space and coverage than many would think in addition to his pass-rush ability.
“His athleticism takes over,” Rallis said. “I love that part of his game.
“I’m always on him, challenging him to play lower than his opponent and when he does that, I really like what I see.”
Ojulari had four sacks as a rookie, when he had a slower start after coming off a knee injury for which he needed surgery.
