Drew Stanton Injury: Updates on Cardinals QB's Knee and Return

Matt FitzgeraldDec 11, 2014

Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton sprained the MCL and ACL tendons in his knee in Week 15. Stanton missed the rest of the regular season. The quarterback also underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up an infection in his knee. Ryan Lindley has been given the start for Saturday's game against the Panthers.

Continue for updates.

Stanton's Will be Evaluated by Doctors This Week

Lindley Confirmed Starter vs. Carolina

Thursday, Jan. 1

Head coach Bruce Arians confirmed Ryan Lindley will get the nod against the Panthers, according to Around the NFL:

Arians does not expect Stanton to play against the Panthers, according to Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. Ryan Lindley is likely to get the nod under center.

Stanton Not Practicing

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported that Stanton did not practice on Wednesday.

Arians Sets Practice Deadline for Stanton

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com has an update on Stanton's timeline from head coach Bruce Arians:

Cardinals "Hopeful" Stanton Will Be Ready

Monday, Dec. 29

"At this point it's day to day, but we're hopeful," said Cardinals general manager Steve Keim when discussing Stanton's return, per the Doug & Wolf Show.

Arians also commented on Stanton's status, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN NFL Nation:

Yesterday, the Cardinals were hopeful that Stanton will be able to practice this week, according to Darren Urban of azcardinals.com:

Stanton Ruled Out, Undergoes Surgery on Knee

Friday, Dec. 26

Darren Urban of Cardinals.com has Stanton's officials status:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Friday that Stanton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee:

Rapoport also explained why the surgery was necessary:

However, Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reports Arians expects Stanton to be available for the playoffs:

ESPN.com had more from Arians on Stanton:

"
Later Friday, a Cardinals official told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that "there is a realistic chance for him to return" this season.

"He's at home and will stay there and rehab over the weekend and be ready to go next week, hopefully," coach Bruce Arians said.
"I have no idea about infections and all that," Arians said. "You talk to doctors about that stuff. He's on schedule for next week."
"

Stanton Not Present at Practice

Thursday, Dec. 25

"No sighting of Drew Stanton at open part of #AZCardinals practice today," announced ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

Cardinals Confident in Stanton's Playoff Return

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk has the latest on Stanton:

"
Arians said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that there’s an 85 percent chance that Stanton will be ready for Arizona’s first playoff game, which will likely be on the road against the winner of Sunday’s Panthers-Falcons game.
"

Arians Comments on Stanton's Status

Monday, Dec. 22

Arians commented on Drew Stanton's status after missing Week 16 with a knee injury, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN:

"
“I have very, very high optimism because he wants to be ready,” Arians said. “I think had he not had that minor setback last week, he would have probably tried to play in that one.

“There’s no way I’ll play him this week unless we have to.”
After Thursday’s practice, in which Stanton was listed as a limited participant, Stanton’s right knee swelled but it went down quickly, Arians said.

“We don’t want to have another setback,” Arians said. “He’ll work into practice some this week and get some action in practice.”
"

Stanton Inactive vs. Seahawks

Sunday, Dec. 21

The Arizona Cardinals confirmed that Drew Stanton is inactive for the Sunday Night Football clash vs. Seattle.

Stanton Could be Active in Week 16, Listed as Doubtful

Friday, Dec. 19

Daren Urban of Cardinals.com has Stanton's status for Week 16:

Urban had more on Stanton:

Stanton Having Trouble With Lateral Movement, Arians Doesn't Rule Him Out

Thursday, Dec. 18

Fox Sports' Mike Jurecki has the latest on Stanton:

Despite that, Arians has yet to officially rule out Stanton in Week 16 per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com:

"
During his Wednesday press conference, Bruce Arians was asked when injured quarterback Drew Stanton could play again, given the best-case scenario.
“Sunday,” Arians said, drawing chuckles from the gathered media.
Realistically, though?
“Sunday,” Arians repeated. “Like I said, the brain does funny things.”
It was hard not to think of the exchange Thursday afternoon, when the Cardinals put out their daily injury report and Stanton – who had spent the open portion of practice working off to the side – was listed at having practiced on a limited basis.
"

Lindley To Start in Week 16, Stanton Could Return in 2-4 Weeks

Monday, Dec. 15

Adam Green of ArizonaSports.com reported on Ryan Lindley, who will be starting for the injured Drew Stanton in Week 16:

Bruce Arians later updated Stanton's status, saying the quarterback could return in two-to-four weeks from the knee injury, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.

Stanton Has 'Realistic Chance' of Returning for Playoffs

Sunday, Dec. 14

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the updated timetable:

"
Initially, the Cardinals believed he had fully torn the ACL, which had been repaired in 2007, but an MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain, which is a partial tear.
With successful rehab and a knee brace, Stanton has a realistic chance of returning four weeks from the injury -- meaning he could be back for the playoffs, especially if Arizona secures a first-round bye, which is within reach for the 11-3 Cardinals.
"

Bob McManaman of azcentral.com provides an update from Sports Illustrated's Peter King on how the Cardinals plan to use their QB's in Week 16:

Stanton Won't Need Surgery

Friday, Dec. 12

ESPN's Josh Weinfuss and Fox Sports' Mike Jurecki have the latest on Stanton:

Stanton Sprains ACL, MCL

Friday, Dec. 12

ESPN's Mike Jurecki has an update on Stanton's condition after injuring his knee on Thursday night:

However, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the quarterback's season may not be over:

Stanton Injures Knee vs. Rams

Thursday, Dec. 11

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton exited Thursday's Week 15 game against the NFC West rival St. Louis Rams in the third quarter with a right knee injury. He would not return.

The Cardinals' official Twitter account reported the news:

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported on Stanton's status:

Darren Urban of Cardinals.com added a key detail that paints an ominous picture:

The outlook after the game was not good, according to Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 in Arizona:

Stanton was hurt due to pressure generated from St. Louis dynamic defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The Cardinals were leading, 6-3, with just under nine minutes to play in the third. Former sixth-round draft pick Ryan Lindley was inserted to run the offense, as opposed to rookie fourth-rounder Logan Thomas.

NFL Network's Rich Eisen joked that his colleague, former Arizona QB Kurt Warner, may be asked to return to the gridiron:

With the team's No. 1 QB, Carson Palmer, already out for the season—coincidentally getting hurt the last time the Cardinals faced the Rams—Arizona has to hope Stanton can return soon. Otherwise, its status atop the NFC will be in severe doubt down the final stretch of the 2014 campaign.

Once Stanton went down, Ryan Lindley went 4-of-10 for 30 yards as the Cardinals hung on for the 12-6 win.