Injuries have interrupted Evan Mathis‘ Cardinals campaign at every turn, and the latest setback may end the veteran guard’s year. The Cardinals placed Mathis on IR due to the ankle injury he sustained against the 49ers on Thursday night, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com reports.
The Cardinals replaced Mathis on their roster by signing Ulrick John off the Dolphins’ practice squad, per Urban.
Already playing after suffering turf toe and a mid-foot sprain this season, Mathis went down late in the first half of Arizona’s Week 5 victory. He will be unable to return to the team for at least eight games, if the Cardinals determine Mathis a realistic candidate to come off IR. Earlier this week, Bruce Arians said the team is considering bringing either Chris Johnson or Tyvon Branch off the IR list. Both are recovering from hernia surgeries.
Teams can only bring one player from IR back onto the active roster.
The 34-year-old Mathis signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals this offseason, doing so after his one-year pact with the Broncos translated into him receiving a Super Bowl ring for his work as the 2015 champions’ starting left guard. The former Eagles first-team All-Pro graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 run-blocking guard last season despite playing through injuries.
Arizona is expected to start fourth-year blocker Earl Watford in Mathis’ right guard spot.