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Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL suffered Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers, coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday.
“It’s a part of the game that just is tough to swallow at times,” Gannon said. “So obviously, know what he puts into the game, into his craft and being a pro and a teammate that he is. So that’s going to hurt.”
Gardeck was injured with 10:34 left in the third quarter on a punt return. He went straight to the locker room and later returned to the sideline in street clothes.
Gardeck, who is in his seventh season, all with the Cardinals, since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018, is in the final season of a three-year contract he signed in 2022. He had 20 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, an interception and a forced fumble in 7 games this season.
He is the second edge rusher Arizona has lost this season to an ACL injury. The other was B.J. Ojulari, who tore an ACL in early August. And Gardeck is the fifth member of the Cardinals’ interior defense to go on injured reserve this season.
With Zaven Collins the only regular outside linebacker still healthy, Arizona will turn to the likes of Jesse Luketa, rookie Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje and Julian Okwara to fill Gardeck’s role.
Gannon said the Cardinals will figure out a plan at outside linebacker this week that best helps Arizona attack the Miami Dolphins.
“It’ll look a little different, I’m sure, this week,” Gannon said. “We’re in the stages of that right now, but guys will step up and they’ll be ready to go.”
Arizona has 14 sacks this season, tied for 21st in the NFL.