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Cardinals may be without Okeafor, Ross for season
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The Cardinals’ virtually injury-free run-up to the NFL season has ended. Two starting players, linebacker Chike Okeafor and offensive tackle Oliver Ross, suffered season-threatening injuries Saturday in the Cardinals’ preseason opening loss at Oakland.
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MRI results Sunday showed a torn biceps for Okeafor and a torn triceps for Ross.
The initial medical opinion is that the pair will need season-ending surgery, the Cardinals said, though both are expected to seek second opinions this week to see if a non-surgical option is possible.
Okeafor will be replaced by Darryl Blackstock. Ross will be replaced by Levi Brown, the team’s first-round draft pick with an $18 million guaranteed contract who was expected to supplant Ross at some point this season.
To add depth, the Cardinals likely will look to pick up players released by other teams in upcoming weeks.
The Cardinals suffered a third, less severe injury Saturday: backup offensive lineman Nick Leckey will be out an estimated two to three weeks with a sprained knee.
The Cardinals lost their exhibition opener 27-23 Saturday to the Raiders.
They’ll return to Flagstaff, where they’ll practice today through Thursday before returning to the Valley to host the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. Saturday in Glendale.
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