Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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The depth of the Cardinals’ defensive line figures to be tested after news came out that starting end Darius Philon had been arrested.
It will open the door quickly for third-round draft pick Zach Allen, who now has a chance to start.
There were few details about the immediate future of Philon coming Saturday, after he had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for an incident in May and arrested Friday.
“We are aware of the situation and the serious allegations,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “It’s been reported to the league. We will allow that process from the legal perspective and the league’s standpoint to move forward, and we aren’t allowed to comment further at this time.”
Asked if Philon was suspended by the team, Kingsbury said “once again, not going to comment further on that. We are where we are at it currently. That’s it.”
Philon signed a two-year contract in March as a free agent. He was starting alongside nose tackle Corey Peters and end Rodney Gunter. If Philon isn’t around – and he was absent at the outset of practice Saturday following his initial court appearance – Kingsbury said Allen would move into the starting lineup.
Allen has been impressive in camp and was already expected to play a major role in the defensive line rotation.
“I like what Zach Allen has brought, and I’m really excited that we have him here,” said Kingsbury, praising Allen’s coachability, work ethic and motor. “We think he has a heck of a future.”
The unit has taken some hits since camp started. The team released former first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, and waived Vincent Valentine. Uncertainty with Philon further impacts the numbers.
“That’s an area that with Steve (Keim) we will have to address depth-wise to get through camp, and continue to evaluate players on that D-line,” Kingsbury said.
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