Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Markus Golden Suffers Torn ACL, Out for the Season
Looks like Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden is not getting a single sack this year because his season has officially come to an end after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
"It breaks everyone's heart in there (in the locker room), because they all know how hard he plays. It takes a lot of spirit out of the defense, because he brings it every play," Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said, via the team's official website.
Golden has been placed on injured reserve list and he will undergo surgery as soon as the swelling goes down in a couple of weeks. To fill his roster spot, the Cardinals have decided to promote Scooby Wright III from their practice squad to the active roster.
The outside linebacker went down with the injury in the overtime period of their game against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday after he collided with teammate Budda Baker while he was trying to sack Brian Hoyer.
The third-year pro led the Cardinals with 12.5 sacks last season, but he had zero sacks in four games this year.
With Golden on the sidelines, Kareem Martin should see an increase in playing time, and Arians has noted that the outside linebacker has been playing really well lately. Martin has also said that he's ready to contribute if his name is called.
"It's a next-man-up business, it's a next-man-up team. In football, guys get hurt all the time. I'm praying for Markus, but if my role expands I'm prepared to take that on. Every week I prepare as if I'm the starter, through film and everything, so it won't be any different in terms of that," Martin said, according to the Cardinals' official website.
Rookie linebacker Haason Reddick will likely see some minutes at the position as well.
