Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has confirmed that both defensive lineman Darius Robinson and wide receiver Zay Jones will miss the team’s Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers.
This comes as a significant setback for the Cardinals, who were hoping for a timely return of two important players.
Robinson, who has been on injured reserve since the beginning of the season due to a calf injury sustained during training camp, experienced a setback on Thursday after being a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. This week, the Cardinals opened his return-to-practice window, which gives the team three weeks to decide when to move him to the active roster.
However, with the calf issue resurfacing, the Cardinals are being cautious with his return. Robinson, the 27th overall pick from Missouri, is highly regarded for his potential to be a versatile force on the defensive line, something the team sorely needs, especially with BJ Ojulari and Justin Jones also sidelined.
Meanwhile, Zay Jones, who just completed a five-week suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, has suffered a hamstring injury in practice during his return. Like Robinson, Gannon and the team are taking a careful approach. “Good to get him out there, looked good,” Gannon said to reporters. “Kind of the same thing (as Robinson). We’re going to be smart with him. He’s not going to go this week but he’s trending in the right direction.”
Jones is expected to bolster the Cardinals’ receiving corps, which currently includes Marvin Harrison Jr., Greg Dortch, and Michael Wilson. His presence is anticipated to elevate the unit’s overall performance once he’s fully healthy. However, his debut for the season will have to wait.
The Cardinals will release official game designations for other players later today, but it’s already clear that both Robinson and Jones will not make their return in Week 6. Fans will have to wait at least another week to see them on the field.
