The Arizona Cardinals eked out an impressive win in Week 5 to earn them their second win of the 2024 season. The Cardinals defeated their division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, 24-23, in a thriller on the road.
While the win was big, the Cardinals suffered a tough loss in the process. The Cardinals have lost their star guard, Will Hernandez, for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafoplo shared the news via Twitter/X.
Hernandez was carted to the locker room after suffering the injury, which occurred after he was rolled up while blocking on a James Conner rushing attempt. Trystan Colon took over at right guard, and he likely will move forward.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
Hernandez was enjoying what appeared to be the best season of his seven-year career. According to PFF, he recorded a 69.4 overall grade, which ranks 25th of 98 among guards. He also recorded a pass block grade of 74.2 and a run block grade of 66.1.
This season, Hernandez has played in 180 offensive snaps, committed two penalties, eight pressures allowed, and allowed zero sacks, ranking first among guards.
The 29-year-old started in all five games for Arizona this season after starting all 17 games last season.
While Colon appears to be the front-runner for the right guard spot, the Cardinals could also turn towards Isaiah Adams, a promising third-round pick from the 2024 draft who played college football at Illinois. Adams saw playing time in the first four games of the season, mostly on special teams, but he was inactive on Sunday due to a thumb injury.
If Adams can return for next week when they take on the Green Bay Packers, he could compete for the starting right guard position moving forward.
Prior to Sunday, Colon had registered only six offensive snaps at the center so far this season. He played extensively for Arizona in 2023 with 322 snaps. Last season, he allowed two sacks, a quarterback hit, and six hurries with a single penalty over that span, where he mostly played at left guard.
While the Cardinals have the bodies to make up for the loss of Hernandez, it is still one that stings. The star guard is currently in the final year of his contract, which pays out $3.2 million this season.
The Las Vegas native is in his third year as a Cardinals after being a second-round pick by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft.
For more Cardinals news, make sure to head over to Newsweek Sports.
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