Arizona Cardinals lose another defensive lineman to bicep injury
The Arizona Cardinals will be without two defensive linemen for some time, with the confirmation on Wednesday that Carlos Watkins will need surgery.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed an ESPN report via X, formerly known as Twitter, that Watkins will need bicep surgery. Watkins opened this week listed as No. 1 on the Cardinals' depth chart at one defensive end position, but now figures to be out for several weeks if not longer.
Arizona had already lost defensive lineman L.J. Collier to a bicep injury from Week 1 at Washington. Collier has had surgery, Gannon said.
"We'll see. Don't know," Gannon said when asked if there is a chance Collier can come back from injured reserve this season.
Watkins won't be able to face his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, this week. He had five tackles and a sack in his Cardinals debut in Week 1. Collier is also new to the team this season.
Nose tackle Leki Fotu missed last Sunday's game with a shoulder injury but will return to practice this week, Gannon said, and rookie defensive end Dante Stills has his first NFL game Sunday against the New York Giants to build off of, as his playing time could go up.
"Next guy's gotta get up and get ready to play, but I feel good about those guys going in. I thought (defensive tackle Eric) Banks and Stills played pretty well," Gannon said. "And then with Carlos going out in the game, you're a little short there because you'd like to play with five (defensive linemen). But I like the five that will be up."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals impacted by injuries to defensive line
