ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals OL Will Hernandez ejected vs. Panthers for pushing official

Oct 2, 2022, 3:37 PM | Updated: Oct 3, 2022, 7:38 am

Quard Will Hernandez #76 of the Arizona Cardinals on the bench during the second half of the NFL ga...

Quard Will Hernandez #76 of the Arizona Cardinals on the bench during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals right guard Will Hernandez was ejected from Sunday’s 26-16 win over the Carolina Panthers for hitting an official early in the fourth quarter.

Carolina linebacker Frankie Luvu threw Cardinals running back James Conner down hard after the whistle on a play in the red zone, prompting a personal foul call.

Cardinals offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum and Hernandez went to confront Luvu, but the latter pushed into the back of an official to get there. The ensuing scuffle did not lead to any more penalties, but the ejection of Hernandez left an already depleted offensive line group thinner.

“You can’t swing, obviously,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters postgame.

“I think you can get in front of a guy and protect your guy, but once you start doing that, you cross the line and we all know that. That’s laid out plainly that is something you can not do in this league. We have to be smarter in those situations.

Left guard Justin Pugh exited in the second quarter with an elbow injury and is questionable to return, while center Rodney Hudson went into the locker room but came back in the game.

Max Garcia took over at left guard to right, while Sean Harlow entered the game at left guard.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyzir White...

Tyler Drake

Kyzir White already running with role as Cardinals’ defensive general

Kyzir White's role at MIKE linebacker could slide Zaven Collins to the edge for the Arizona Cardinals defense.

21 hours ago

Hollywood Brown...

Tyler Drake

Marquise Brown leads Cardinals WRs into life post-DeAndre Hopkins

There's no way around it, the Arizona Cardinals' wide receivers room took a shot Friday morning with the release of DeAndre Hopkins.

21 hours ago

Isaiah Simmons practices...

Tyler Drake

Nick Rallis, Cardinals not rushing process with LB Isaiah Simmons

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons has been a defensive nomad throughout his career. Will he have a home in Year 4?

2 days ago

Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals shakes hands with fans after beating the Seattle Seahawks 2...

Wills Rice

Carson Palmer believes Cardinals need Budda Baker

Carson Palmer thinks keeping safety Budda Baker around is vital for the rebuilding years of the Arizona Cardinals.

2 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Arizona Sports

Breer: ‘There’s a healthy divide’ on what ex-Cardinal DeAndre Hopkins has left

The MMQB's Albert Breer sees a split between those who think Hopkins still has something left and those who feel his price tag is too steep.

3 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins speaks after a game...

Dan Bickley

DeAndre Hopkins’ release ends WR’s selfish legacy with Cardinals

For the second time in three years, DeAndre Hopkins is moving on to another team and bringing little or nothing of value in return.

3 days ago

Cardinals OL Will Hernandez ejected vs. Panthers for pushing official