Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive end Darius Robinson could make his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The No. 27 overall selection has missed the entire season to date through injury and personal tragedy. Robinson will provide the Cardinals' defensive line with a much-needed boost.
Robinson injured his calf in late August during training camp. The former Missouri standout totaled just 10 snaps in the preseason before being placed on IR. The Cardinals initially designated him to return to practice on Oct. 9, but his mother passed away shortly thereafter. Arizona officially activated him from IR in late October before his 21-day practice window closed.
Robinson just logged his first consecutive set of practices since injuring his calf in August. It strongly indicates Robinson could make his regular-season debut against the Seahawks on Sunday. It's a big-time game within the NFC West, with the 5-5 Seahawks trailing the 6-4 Cardinals for the division lead.
More positive signs, Darius Robinson practicing for a second straight day @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/XZeDHSamBt
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) November 20, 2024
Jonathan Gannon's Cardinals are shockingly leading a competitive NFC West division despite dealing with a ton of adversity on the defensive side of the ball. Their projected best pass rusher this season was sophomore second-rounder BJ Ojulari, who suffered a season-ending injury before the campaign even began. Robinson, their first-round pick, then landed on IR. Since then, their most productive healthy EDGE, Dennis Gardeck, has also suffered a season-ending injury. Arizona's pass rush has predictably struggled as a result. They've recorded 24 sacks in 10 regular-season games.
Forced to shuffle things around, it's former first-round busts Zaven Collins and LJ Collier that have logged the most pass-rushing snaps for Gannon’s Cardinals this season. Together, Collins and Collier have combined for just 3.5 sacks and 37 pressures. They've been largely ineffective at chasing down opposing quarterbacks. It shouldn't take Robinson long to eat into their workload once he has his sea legs under him.
“I feel great” though #AZCardinals rookie defensive lineman Darius Robinson isn’t sure if he’ll make his debut this week.
— Arizona Cardinals Insiders 🎤🎙 (@AZCardsInsiders) November 20, 2024
Robinson thanked ownership, front office, coaches and teammates for their support.
“I’m in a good headspace.”
-@CraigAZSports pic.twitter.com/iYllWQoSef
Robinson was a riser throughout the pre-draft process. His 6-foot-5, 285-pound frame offers him intriguing inside-outside versatility. Gannon is a brilliant defensive-minded coach who will appreciate an opportunity to move his first-rounder all over the formation in search of advantageous matchups.
Robinson was an outstanding run defender at Missouri, possessing the size, technique, and length required to set hard edges. That gives the ex-Tiger lineman three-down potential, and should quickly earn him Gannon's trust despite him still recovering from injury. Robinson is a powerful defender who's extremely physical at the point of attack.
Robinson used his pre-draft events to elevate his stock into the first round. He was a first-one-off-the-bus prospect at last year's Senior Bowl, using his physical pro-ready frame to impress NFL personnel in attendance. Robinson measured in with a 95th-percentile wingspan (84.5 inches) and 84th-percentile arm length (34.5 inches).
The Cardinals have been forced to be patient with their first-round pick's development. An injury followed by an untimely death in the family delayed Robinson's debut. He's nearing his return and he should pay immediate dividends for a Cardinals team that's shockingly in postseason contention.
