:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37139566/453407988.0.jpg)
The Arizona Cardinals may have just lost their best player before the second week of the NFL preseason even ends. There are reports of All-Pro defensive lineman Darnell Dockett suffering a potentially season-ending injury during practice Monday.
MRI on Darnell Dockett right knee reveals torn ACL. Injury will require surgery & is season-ending.
— MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) August 19, 2014
Cardinals believe DT Darnell Dockett tore his ACL today, sources tell @FOXSports1. Obviously a tough one for the Cards.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 19, 2014
Dockett was seen grabbing his lower right leg after a play during an 11-on-11 period. He was scheduled to get an MRI to determine the extent of injury. Defensive tackle Dan Williams said this of the injury:
"I don’t know the extent of the injury, but it’s part of football. His foot just got stuck in the ground. We’ll just have to wait and see."
If Dockett did in fact tear his ACL, his 2014 season is guaranteed to be over, but he should be back on the field in time for the start of Organized Team Activities in 2015. That doesn't make Dockett or the Cardinals feel any better.
After finishing 10-6 on the strength of a top-10 defense led by Dockett, the Cards were expected to win 9+ games again this year, and maybe breakthrough into the postseason.
Dockett is entering his 11th season, all with the Cardinals. He's been to three Pro Bowls and is coming off his best season in about five years. He had 46 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year for the resurgent Cardinals, who've now lost Karlos Dansby, Daryl Washington (suspension) and now this. This is a sad and unfortunate way to see Dockett's season end.
The Cardinals next preseason game will be on Sunday Night Football on NBC, when they host the Cincinnati Bengals in primetime.