Cardinals’ Darius Robinson ready to bounce back after tough rookie season

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson is ready to bounce back after going through adversity on and off the field during his rookie season.

After being drafted at No. 27 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Robinson went down with a calf injury during training camp and didn’t play his first NFL game until Week 13.

Robinson only played six games last season, registering 10 tackles and a sack. During the season, Robinson’s mother died as he was working to return from the injury.

“Last year was the best year of my life and worst year of my life in the same year,” Robinson told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Thursday. “I learned so much and it gave me so much adversity for the rest of my life and in my career.”

Robinson said that 2025 is essentially his “redshirt rookie year” and that last season gave him a chance to learn how he would fit into the Cardinals’ defense.

“I learned our defense and understand what we are trying to get done based off what position you are,” Robinson said. “I also thought about pass-rush and how hard it’s getting sacks in the NFL so just going through that gauntlet and playing the six teams and (learning to) understand my pass-rush plan better going forward.”

Darius Robinson ready to play alongside new teammates

After an offseason that saw the Cardinals make several additions on defense, including Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, Robinson says he is looking forward to playing with his new teammates.

He added that playing alongside Campbell, who will be playing his 18th NFL season this year, will help him develop as a player going forward.

“This year will help me grow so much as a player having a guy like that in our room,” Robinson said. “He’s just a great guy and I’m super glad they brought him here and I’m just gonna take advantage of each moment with him.”

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