Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Dennis Gardeck has been an awesome story this season.
The undersized and former undrafted outside linebacker registered his third sack of the season against the Rams on Sunday, and is now second on the team in the category.
While Gardeck's unexpected pass-rushing aptitude has been a boost for the defense, his standing on the sack leaderboard also illustrates the lack of production from the team's expected contributors.
Injuries have taken a major toll on the defensive front, as none of the five season-opening starters – Chandler Jones, Corey Peters, Devon Kennard, Jordan Phillips and Zach Allen – has more than two sacks this season.
While Jones and Peters are done for the year, the rest of the group is getting healthier.
Phillips was designated to return off injured reserve on Wednesday and is hoping to put a bothersome hamstring injury behind him. Allen has been back for a few games, while Kennard is healthy after missing time due to injury and COVID-19.
Furthermore, rookie Leki Fotu returned to the field against the Rams and had a pair of tackles for loss, while fellow fourth-round pick Rashard Lawrence is on the comeback trail from a calf injury.
The Cardinals' defense only has seven sacks in its past four games – Gardeck's was the lone one against Goff on 47 pass attempts – but coach Kliff Kingsbury has been happy with the way the front has battled despite the injuries.
"There has been a lot of change, a lot of guys rotating in and out," Kingsbury said. "For the most part, I think they've done a nice job. I feel like throughout that stretch, with some guys being out of there, guys stepped up and made plays, did a nice job being disruptive. Obviously, trying to get Jordan back, Rashard back, Leki going full speed, would be a big plus, but I've been impressed with the way that group has held up for the most part."
The Cardinals play the Giants on Sunday, and their quarterbacks have been sacked an average of 2.8 times per game in 2020, one of the highest rates in the NFL.
The Cardinals' sack leader is Haason Reddick, who has five on the year, but he has zero sacks and no quarterback hits since Week 7. Markus Golden has one in five games since being acquired via trade from the Giants.
Phillips had 9½ sacks last season for the Bills and represents the best chance at getting a consistent interior push if he can return this week.
"He's a guy we'd love to get back in the mix as an impact player for us when he's on the field," Kingsbury said. "We're going to ease him back in and see how this week goes."
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