Cardinals’ Nkemdiche expected to miss 2-3 weeks with calf strain

Second-year defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche has been one of the most talked-about Arizona Cardinals this preseason.

The term “disruptive” has been used more than once to describe the 2016 first-round pick’s play in Arizona’s practices and first three preseason games.

Nkemdiche was the talk of practice on Tuesday too, but not for a good reason.

He limped off the practice field midway through the session and didn’t return.

Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM, Arizona Sports Station has learned that Nkemdiche suffered a left calf strain and is expected to miss two to three weeks because of it.

This obviously puts Nkemdiche’s status up in the air for the Cardinals’ season opener against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sept. 10. A two-week absence would have the Ole Miss product back on the field Sept. 6, four days before the opener.

The 22-year-old has been productive in the preseason, with six total tackles in 69 snaps played on defense.

Nkemdiche was limited by an ankle injury and ineffectiveness as a rookie last season, playing a total of 82 defensive snaps.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians announced Wednesday that Nkemdiche is officially day-to-day.

“Robert strained a calf, he’ll be day-to-day,” Arians said. “We’ll see how long it takes, but he’ll be in a boot for a minute; won’t play this week for sure; won’t take a risk with that.”

Arians, “We’ll see how long it takes” re: Nkemdiche strained calf, officially day-to-day#CardsCamp

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) August 23, 2017

Arians, “It shouldn’t set him back at all” re: Nkemdiche; wasn’t going to play last preseason game any way#CardsCamp

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) August 23, 2017

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