August 14, 2026 • 9:01 PM EDT
Updated 8 days ago
Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis is off to a tough start in the NFL, suffering a torn MCL during a preseason clash with the Raiders. The injury, which happened Thursday night after an awkward collision, means Bisontis will undergo surgery next week and likely miss a significant chunk of his rookie season — possibly all of it. For a team that was hoping to beef up its depth up front, this is the sort of news you never want before Week 1 has even kicked off.
Bisontis had to be carted off the field after the collision and didn’t return. As a second-round pick picked 34th overall in the 2026 draft, Bisontis came in with expectations as a contender to start at right guard, battling Isaiah Adams for a spot. Now the pressure mounts for the rest of the group to fill the gap left by a promising rookie who’s suddenly out of the picture for months, if not the whole year.
According to Yahoo Sports, the good news — if you can call it that — is his ACL and meniscus are both intact. When you hear “torn MCL,” you’re bracing for the worst, but it looks like Bisontis has been spared damage to those key ligaments. His recovery timeline is still months, though, and that means quick solutions are needed in the trenches.
Right now, the main takeaway for you as a bettor or Cardinals watcher is this: the offensive line’s depth just took a big hit, and the running game plus pass protection are both shakier as a result. You’ve got a rookie who looked set to push for major snaps and now won’t get that chance any time soon. Those preseason battles between young players matter, and losing Bisontis early could mean Arizona leans on less-seasoned depth throughout the season. That can impact not just wins and losses, but prop bets on rushing yards or sack totals — little things that become big factors if line play falters.
- Chase Bisontis, Arizona’s second-round rookie, tore his MCL during the preseason win over the Raiders.
- He’ll undergo surgery next week and is expected to miss significant time, maybe even the full year.
- The injury came on an awkward play, requiring Bisontis to be carted off the field.
- Tests showed his ACL and meniscus are intact — meaning a full recovery is expected with time.
- Bisontis was competing for the starting right guard job against Isaiah Adams.
- Arizona’s offensive line depth takes an immediate hit, raising questions ahead of the regular season.
The situation was summed up by Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur after the game, who put it bluntly when talking to reporters: “[The injury was] not good,” LaFleur said, acknowledging that more tests would be needed to know exactly how serious it was. With clarity now here, the outlook for Arizona’s line is looking a lot less rosy going into the regular season.
Why Bisontis’ injury changes the Cardinals’ outlook
Bisontis wasn’t just another body in the rotation. Arizona drafted him out of Texas A&M with the idea he could help stabilize an offensive line that needed young talent. Instead, they’re losing a guy who could’ve played early and often. That probably tilts the battle for the right guard spot toward Isaiah Adams right now — but it also means any injury further up the depth chart is a potential disaster.
A blow before the real action starts
Every preseason, there’s a list of players who never get a real chance to show what they can do because of bad luck. Bisontis just joined that list in 2026, and it’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes change in the NFL. The Cardinals will now scramble to cover for his loss, whether by looking for outside help or rolling the dice with what they have.
Key takeaways for bettors and fans
- Arizona’s O-line depth just got thinner — watch for potential ripple effects in run/pass performance.
- Isaiah Adams looks like the main right guard now, but the backup situation is shaky.
- Cardinals futures bets get a little less attractive with this news.
- Look for Arizona to possibly bring in a veteran guard to plug the hole.
- Chase Bisontis has a shot at a full recovery, but he’s likely not back this season.
- His pre-injury position battle meant he was in line for significant playing time.
- Surgical repair of an MCL — with ACL and meniscus intact — avoids the worst-case scenario for career impact.
- Long-term, Bisontis remains a name to watch, but not for 2026 betting.
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