Cards' Okeafor, Ross may face surgery
excerpt:
The Cardinals lost more than just a preseason game Saturday night. Two starters suffered injuries that could end their seasons.
Outside linebacker Chike Okeafor suffered a torn left bicep, and offensive right tackle Oliver Ross suffered a torn left tricep, according to a club official.
Both players underwent MRIs on Sunday, which confirmed the tears. Both players are expected to seek second opinions, and if surgery is necessary, they likely will miss the rest of the season.
Okeafor, who played the strong side, is a key part of the defensive plans for this year. Because of his versatility, he was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker in the 3-4. He was having an excellent training camp.
Okeafor's backup, Darryl Blackstock, has little experience. The team could move Calvin Pace or Joe Tafoya from the weak outside linebacker to try and compensate for Okeafor's loss.
Ross was starting at right tackle, but was locked in a battle for the job with Levi Brown, the fifth overall pick.
Brown will now move into the starting lineup, but if Ross is gone for the season, the Cardinals are left thin at the position. The top backups would be Brandon Gorin and Qasim Mitchell.
The Cardinals had Sunday off and return to training camp practice today. Coach Ken Whisenhunt was not available for comment on Sunday.