ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals turn to D.J. Young at left tackle

Aug 20, 2012, 5:26 PM | Updated: 10:29 pm

The Arizona Cardinals re-signed Levi Brown in the offseason because they felt it would be better to keep him around than try to replace him.

Unfortunately, both possibilities have come true.

The Cardinals lost Brown to a torn triceps Friday night against the Oakland Raiders, putting his season in doubt and the Cardinals line in a state of flux.

Enter D.J. Young.

The second-year pro out of Michigan State will get the start at left tackle for the Cardinals Thursday against the Tennessee Titans, making him the first candidate to replace Brown.

“It’s a real unfortunate situation, what happened to Levi,” Young said Monday in Flagstaff. “I’ve just got to pick up the reigns and keep it going.”

Young has never taken a snap at left tackle in an NFL game — let alone started one — so it’s fair to question just how ready he is for the role.

However, the 24-year-old is confident that while he’s still got work to do and room to improve, he is up to the task.

“I’m being coached by one of the greats, Russ Grimm,” he said. “People believing in me, the coaching staff just plugging me in there to go right away.”

Young, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds, went undrafted out of Michigan State in 2011. He spent most of last season on Arizona’s practice squad.

He said he began college as a defensive lineman before being moved to right tackle, and then finished his time in school at left tackle.

So, he said this is his third year on the left side of the offensive line.

“I’m still learning the ropes; I’ve just got to get better,” he said.

Young knows struggles could cost the team wins and him a job.

“No spot on the football field is guaranteed, you always have to work and keep on working,” he said, adding that there are always players who could replace him and get the job done. “It’s up to me and it’s up to rest of the coaching staff to put me in the right situation and get the job done.”

Arizona Sports’ Craig Grialou contributed to this report

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals turn to D.J. Young at left tackle