The Arizona Cardinals lost starting right guard Will Hernandez for the rest of the season due to a left knee injury in Sunday’s win over San Francisco.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Monday that Hernandez would be placed on injured reserve and not be back this year.
“Will was playing really well,” Gannon said. “He’s playing really good ball for us. He’s an integral part to our toughness and our attitude and doing things the right way, practicing the right way, playing the right way.
“It’s a tough one to lose, but he’ll recover from it. He’ll get back and he’ll be back, saddled up again. I’m sure of that knowing him.”
Arizona had already lost its starting right tackle, Jonah Williams, to a knee injury as well. Williams was hurt in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills and was placed on IR, and it’s uncertain that he will return in 2024.
Hernandez, 29, joined the Cardinals in 2022 after four seasons with the New York Giants. He’s started at left and right guard during his seven-year pro career, playing in 97 games with 91 starts. He was a second-round draft pick by the Giants in 2018.
He suffered the injury early in the fourth quarter Sunday, as the Cardinals worked their way back from a 23-10 halftime deficit to beat the Niners 24-23.