In a devastating blow amidst the joy of a thrilling Monday Night Football victory, the Arizona Cardinals have lost a key defensive stalwart for the remainder of the 2024 season. Outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of Arizona’s last-second 24-21 triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Jonathan Gannon revealed in Tuesday’s press conference.
“It’s a part of the game that just is tough to swallow at times,” a somber Gannon lamented. “Obviously, [we] know what he puts into the game, into his craft and being a pro and a teammate that he is. So that’s gonna hurt.”
A Cruel Twist of Fate
Gardeck’s season came to an abrupt end with 10:34 remaining in the third quarter on a seemingly routine punt return. The 28-year-old immediately headed to the locker room for evaluation before re-emerging on the sideline in street clothes, a telling sign of the severity of the injury.
The undrafted gem out of Sioux Falls has been a Cardinal his entire career, carving out a reputation as a relentless pass rusher and special teams ace. Gardeck was in the midst of another strong campaign, recording 20 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, an interception, and a forced fumble through the season’s first seven games.
An Unfortunate Trend
Tragically, Gardeck is now the second Cardinal edge rusher lost to a torn ACL this year. Promising second-year man B.J. Ojulari suffered the same fate in early August, leaving Arizona dangerously thin at a crucial position. The team now has five members of its front seven on injured reserve.
“It’ll look a little different, I’m sure, this week,” Gannon acknowledged when asked how the defense will adapt. “We’re in the stages of that right now, but guys will step up and they’ll be ready to go.”
Coach Jonathan Gannon on the Cardinals’ plan moving forward
The Next Men Up
With only Zaven Collins remaining as an established starter, the onus now falls on the likes of Jesse Luketa, rookie Xavier Thomas, Victor Dimukeje and Julian Okwara to fill the void left by Gardeck’s absence. The Cardinals enter Week 8 tied for just 21st in the league with 14 sacks, a figure that may become even harder to improve upon given the current circumstances.
As the Cardinals prepare for a daunting matchup against the high-powered Miami Dolphins offense, Gannon and defensive coordinator Sean Desai certainly have their work cut out for them to plug up the holes on the edges. The team can ill afford another loss up front if they hope to keep their playoff aspirations afloat in the highly competitive NFC.
An Uncertain Future
For Gardeck, the road to recovery begins now. Set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, the impending rehabilitation process adds an additional layer of intrigue to his football future. Will the Cardinals bring back the longtime fan favorite, or will another team take a flyer on the gritty veteran?
Those questions will have to wait as Gardeck embarks on the long journey back to the field. For now, the Cardinals are left to pick up the pieces and find a way to spark a pass rush that was already struggling mightily even with its energizer bunny flying around the edge.
In the cruel, unpredictable world of the NFL, the old adage always applies – next man up. But there’s no doubt Dennis Gardeck’s indomitable presence, both on the field and in the locker room, will be sorely missed. The Cardinals can only hope the unheralded reinforcements are ready to answer the bell.
