Cardinals Rookie Chase Bisontis Leaves Preseason Game With Concerning Knee Injury
The Arizona Cardinals’ preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders came with a major concern when rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis suffered a left knee injury Thursday night.
Bisontis, a second-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, went down during the third quarter and needed help getting off the field. He was later taken to the locker room on a cart, raising immediate concern about the severity of the injury.
After the game, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur did not offer an encouraging initial assessment. When asked about Bisontis’ condition, LaFleur described the injury as “not good” and said the team would need additional testing before knowing exactly what happened.
At this stage, there has been no confirmed diagnosis publicly establishing whether Bisontis suffered an ACL tear, an MCL injury or another type of knee problem. That distinction is important because the amount of time a player misses depends heavily on the specific injury and its severity.
The injury is particularly significant because Bisontis entered training camp with a genuine opportunity to compete for a starting position. Arizona selected the Texas A&M product with the 34th overall pick, making him the second-round pick of the Cardinals in this year’s draft.
The rookie had been competing with third-year offensive lineman Isaiah Adams for the starting right guard job. Arizona had been giving Bisontis opportunities with the first-team offence as the competition developed, making his health an important part of the team’s plans for the regular season.
Bisontis arrived in Arizona with considerable expectations after his college career at Texas A&M. He became a three-year starter for the Aggies and developed into one of the more notable offensive line prospects in the 2026 draft class.
His college experience included playing both tackle and guard before settling into a prominent role on the interior of Texas A&M’s offensive line. The Cardinals viewed his versatility, physical style and ability to handle pass protection as reasons he could compete for an NFL starting job early in his career.
The timing of the injury makes the situation even more important. Preseason games are used to evaluate young players and determine roster roles, but they also give rookies valuable opportunities to adjust to the speed and physical demands of professional football.
Bisontis had already made a positive impression during his early preseason action. His performance had strengthened the belief that he could eventually become an important part of Arizona’s offensive line.
Now, the Cardinals may have to prepare for the possibility of playing without him for an extended period.
Arizona has also dealt with an unfortunate pattern involving young offensive linemen in recent preseasons. According to the Cardinals, the team could be facing its fourth consecutive season in which an offensive lineman selected in the draft suffers a serious preseason injury if Bisontis is ultimately ruled out for a significant period.
Fourth-round pick Jon Gaines suffered a season-ending injury in August 2023. The following year, fifth-round selection Christian Jones missed roughly two months after being hurt during the preseason. In 2025, sixth-round pick Hayden Conner was sidelined for about three months after suffering an injury before the regular season.
That history adds another layer of concern for a Cardinals team trying to build a stronger offensive line.
Arizona has invested heavily in improving the group this offseason, including the addition of veteran guard Isaac Seumalo and the selection of Bisontis in the second round. The team is also entering a new era under head coach Mike LaFleur, whose offensive system places importance on creating consistent running lanes and protecting the quarterback.
A prolonged absence for Bisontis could therefore affect more than just the rookie’s individual development. It could also change how Arizona approaches the right guard position and how the coaching staff manages its offensive line combinations during the remainder of preseason.
For now, however, it would be premature to assume the worst.
LaFleur’s postgame comments made clear that the Cardinals did not yet have all the answers immediately after the injury. Further medical evaluation will be needed to determine the exact nature of the knee problem and establish whether Bisontis will miss games, weeks or a much longer stretch.
The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 27-14, but the result was overshadowed by the injury to one of their most closely watched rookies. While preseason victories can provide encouragement, the health of key players becomes far more important as teams move closer to the regular season.
Bisontis’ status will now be one of the most important developments for Arizona to monitor. Until the Cardinals provide a confirmed medical update, speculation about a specific knee injury should be treated cautiously.
For a rookie who entered the summer fighting for a starting job, the next medical evaluation could determine how quickly he can return to that competition and how much of his first NFL season remains ahead of him.
Sources
Arizona Cardinals — Official team information and player coverage.
National Football League — Official draft and league information.
Texas A&M Athletics — Official college football information.
