WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kenny Demens suffered a torn left ACL in Sunday’s win and will be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season, coach Bruce Arians announced Monday.
Demens was one of three Cardinals to suffer a significant injury in the 42-17 win over Detroit but his was the only long-term diagnosis known by the Cardinals as of Monday afternoon. The team is waiting for MRI results on linebacker Alex Okafor's right calf and safety Chris Clemons’ left hamstring.
Demens, who hasn’t played a defensive snap this season, has become a staple on Arizona’s special-teams units.
“He and Chris Clemons both on special teams are core players so it’s going to be really hard to replace those two guys,” Arians said.
The Cardinals haven’t decided what to do with Demen’s roster spot -- or the others’ depending on how long Okafor and Clemons are out -- as of yet, Arians said. A decision will be made before Wednesday’s practice, however.
The most important position to fill will be Okafor's, if he’s out for any significant length of time.
“We still have to find out how long he’s going to be,” Arians said. “We’ll see what other options are available and go from there.”
