Arizona Cardinals coach Arians: Jonathan Cooper could return this season

Aug 26, 2013, 10:25 PM | Updated: 10:26 pm
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Arizona Cardinals rookie Jonathan Cooper underwent surgery to repair his broken left leg, and according to head coach Bruce Arians, his player could be back within 10 to 12 weeks.

“I think 10 would be stretching it, but 12 weeks would potentially give him six games (this season),” the coach told Arizona Sports 620’s Bickley with Marotta Monday.

The team’s first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Cooper was penciled in to be the team’s starting left guard this season. Veteran Daryn Colledge, who battled an injury early in camp but was to play right guard, will move into Cooper’s spot, and Paul Fanaika will move into Colledge’s.

“Daryn Colledge’s injury was a blessing now, because we got to look at Paul and we’re convinced Paul can win,” Arians said. “And then that competition made Daryn better when he got back. Now, we know Daryn can play left guard, and Daryn knows he can play left guard…that part shouldn’t be a problem.”

Arians’ faith stems from the depth the team built in the offseason and is continuing to build. But, while the coach said you don’t like to see that depth tested via injury, he believes his offensive line can withstand losing Cooper for an extended period of time.

“We feel very comfortable where we’re at right now,” he said.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, hugs San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator and former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt before an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, talks with San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator and former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt before an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy talks with Philip Rivers (17) before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers throws a pass before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Chargers' Nick Novak takes a drink after warming up before a preseason NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall (28) runs against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) lunges for the extra yards as San Diego Chargers defensive back Johnny Patrick (26) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers defensive back Darrell Stuckey (25) blocks the punt of Arizona Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, right, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end John Abraham, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals kicker Dan Carpenter (2) has his field goal blocked against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) San Diego Chargers tight end John Phillips (83) runs a fumble in for touchdown as teammate Le'Ron McClain (33) and Nick Hardwick (61) celebrate as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams (92) and Matt Shaughnessy look on during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals strong safety Rashad Johnson (49) tries to lateral after recovering a fumble but causes a fumble himself as San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) and John Phillips (83) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, right, gets upended by San Diego Chargers' Johnny Patrick (26) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals' John Abraham (53) and Jasper Brinkley (54) defend during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy applauds his team after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of a preseason NFL football game on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Diego Chargers defensive back William Middleton, right, loses his helmet as he tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Alfonso Smith, left, during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals first round draft pick Jonathan Cooper (61) is helped off the field after being injured against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals first round draft pick Jonathan Cooper (61) is carted off the field after being injured during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers linebacker Andrew Gachkar (59) can't hold onto a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Ronald Talley (96) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) pulls in a touchdown pass as San Diego Chargers cornerback Gregory Gatson (31) defends during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals tackle Levi Brown (75) walks off the field during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) San Diego Chargers running back Fozzy Whittaker (34) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Alex Okafor (57) and Curtis Taylor (26) defends during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, greets San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy after the preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Chargers won 24-7. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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