Will

Hernandez

This is unfortunate. The Cardinals’ first-round rookie missed Weeks 1-8 with a calf injury. In his short time active, Nolen racked up five quarterback pressures, one sack, six tackles and two TFLs. On the Jaguars’ second drive today, Cardinals S Jalen Thompson hit QB Trevor Lawrence from behind, during the windup, which sent the ball toward Nolen, who caught it with his right hand as he fended off a Jaguars blocker with his left. Nolen took off toward the end zone, dove, was hit in the air by a Cardinals player and tumbled into the end zone, scoring the pick-six. The Cardinals also announced OG Will Hernandez (hip) is questionable to return.

Hernandez, dealing with a lingering knee issue, will miss his second straight game. The Cardinals offensive line should be OK against a poor Carolina front seven, however. Kyler Murray last week against the Saints was only hurried once and took two sacks, both of which he caused by refusing to throw the ball away.

Hernandez tore his ACL in Week 5 of last season and has been working his way back. He is not ready yet, now set to miss Week 1 still rehabbing his knee. Isaiah Adams is the team’s starting right guard for now. Also inactive for the Cardinals are RB Bam Knight, CB Kei’Trel Clark, CB Elijah Jones, and LB Xavier Thomas.

Hernandez suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the Cardinals’ Week 5 game against the 49ers last year. His signing provides depth to the Cardinals’ interior offensive line. He begins training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Hernandez will enter free agency after the season, so this is an untimely injury for him. Trystan Colon-Castillo was given starters reps with Hernandez out and will likely be the first man up as they try to replace Hernandez.

Hernandez continues to score in the top 5% in athletic metrics amongst active offensive linemen, and he reportedly garnered significant interest before re-signing with the Cardinals. Capable of playing all three interior offensive line positions, Hernandez marks a step in the right direction for newcomer head coach Jonathan Gannon’s bid to turn the franchise around in his first year with the organization.

Wyatt Teller was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move. Hernandez picked up the injury against the Seahawks in Week 9. He will miss at least the next four games. This is a blow to an offensive line that has already struggled to protect a now-hobbled Kyler Murray (hamstring).

Hernandez was announced as questionable in the first half but never returned. Sixth-round rookie Lecitus Smith finished the game in Hernandez’s place. Free agent addition Hernandez has been a liability on Kyler Murray’s right side.

Arizona likely found its starting right guard in Hernandez, 26, a 2018 second-round draft pick by the Giants who started 56 games over four years in New York. Hernandez is a far better run blocker than pass blocker. He’ll join a Cardinals offensive line graded by PFF as the NFL’s 16th best pass-blocking unit in 2021.

Hernandez, 26, would give the Cardinals a starter to replace free agent RG Max Garcia. The 2018 second-rounder made 56 starts over four seasons with the Giants and stayed healthy for all 17 games last year. Hernandez is a better run-blocker than pass protector, allowing seven sacks and 36 pressures with the Giants in 2021.