Account
Cardinals Rumors: Hakeem Butler's Hand Injury Diagnosed as Fracture; IR Possible
August 20, 2019
Arizona Cardinals receiver Hakeem Butler has been diagnosed with an avulsion fracture in his hand, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Tuesday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site, that Butler will miss the rest of the preseason, but it's too early to tell if Butler will land on injured reserve.
"He won't play anymore in the preseason, and then we'll kind of take it from there," Kingsbury said, per the Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman.
Butler didn't deal with injuries much during his college career. He appeared in 37 games for Iowa State in three seasons, appearing in all 26 of the Cyclones' games during his final two years on campus.
He is coming off a breakout performance as a redshirt junior, establishing career highs in catches (60), yards (1,318) and touchdowns (nine) in 2018.
Graham Barfield @GrahamBarfieldHakeem Butler is a size-speed freak who dominated in 2018 at 6-5, 227lbs: • 55% of his receptions gained 20+ yards, highest rate in class • Leads class in YPR, 5th in yards gained per route run (PFF) • Tested as 98th percentile athlete in height-adjusted forty yard dash
Butler's size (6'5" and 227 lbs) and speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash) helped make him a fourth-round pick in April's draft. That combination was supposed to give the Cardinals a downfield threat to complement 11-time Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald and second-year wideout Christian Kirk:
Unfortunately for Butler and the Cardinals, though, the 23-year-old's rookie season appears to be in jeopardy.