Cardinals lose stalwart defender for the season

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Cardinals lose stalwart defender for the season

Published: 19 Aug. 2014, 19:15

Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, one of the most durable players in the NFL over the past decade, tore the ACL in his right knee during practice Monday and will undergo season-ending surgery. The team said the extent of the injury was revealed in an MRI.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Dockett has missed only two games in 10 NFL seasons. He has started 156 of the 158 games in which he appeared. Dockett was hurt in an 11-on-11 drill. He limped away but had to be helped onto a cart. Dockett lay on his back as he was carted off the field.

Before the extent of the injury was known, defensive tackle Calais Campbell talked about the importance of Dockett to a defense that was ranked sixth in the league last season.

Dockett, Campbell and nose tackle Dan Williams formed a formidable defensive front that helped the Cardinals rank first against the run.

AP