Cardinals Defensive Lineman Exits With Shoulder Injury

The Arizona Cardinals defense has played a wild first half against the New Orleans Saints so far on Thursday Night Football, and a key injury along their defensive line may have something to do with it. Starting defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence was carted to the locker room with a shoulder injury and the team quickly declared him questionable to return.

DL Rashard Lawrence (shoulder) is questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/EvANqTGLbT
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 21, 2022

Lawrence suffered the injury in the first quarter and remained down on the field in obvious pain. He was eventually carried to the back via cart. His absence will increase the burden placed upon defensive linemen J.J. Watt, Zach Allen, and Leki Fotu for the remainder of the game.

Lawrence's absence coincided with a feast or famine first half for the Cardinals defense. The team allowed the Saints to pile up a massive 256 total yards, but a key red zone interception and a pair of late pick-sixes offset the extended marches and allowed the Cardinals to enter the second half up 28-14.

Lawrence initially joined the Cardinals as their 131st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has steadily increased his role with the team in each of his three seasons, appearing on 166 defensive snaps as a rookie, 219 in his second year, and 108 in only four appearances this year.