Syndication: Arizona Republic
GLENDALE – Another Arizona Cardinals ink their name on the injury reserve list in linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. on Saturday. The seven-year pro suffered a rib injury in Week 9 vs. the Dallas Cowboys, forcing him to miss last week’s game vs. the Seattle Seahawks, which the defense had its worse performance of the year. The earliest Wilson can return is by Week 16, but at that point Arizona’s season could be over.
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Aug 2, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the Red and White practice in training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Can defense survive without Wilson?
Wilson was the heart of the Cardinals defense, appearing in eight games and recording one interception, 60 tackles and three tackles for loss. The 27-year-old was the green dot for the defense and led Arizona to being one of best scoring defenses in the league through the first half of the season. However, in Week 10, the Seahawks scored 44 points, the most in the 2025 season with Wilson missing the game.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) celebrates his sack against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium Football in Glendale on Sept. 22, 2024.
The Cardinals will need to rely on rookie linebacker Cody Simon to be the green dot and play caller for the team. A role he was familiar with in college with the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Simon was the 2025 National Champion defensive MVP and had impressed coaches this season with his maturity.
Regardless of Simon’s credentials, Arizona is missing plenty of key defensive pieces, with Wilson being the latest on that list. Him being placed on injury reserve could serve as the final nail in the coffin for the team’s hope of turning the season around.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
