Concern in the Cardinals’ Training Camp: J.J. Russell Suffers Injury
GLENDALE, Arizona – Thursday’s Arizona Cardinals practice was interrupted following an incident involving linebacker J.J. Russell. The player had to be stretchered off the field after a collision during a 7-a-side practice. Russell was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for a possible head and neck injury. According to an official statement, Russell was conscious and able to move his extremities. Hours later, the team reported that Russell was discharged from the hospital after receiving negative results in all tests. The collision occurred when Russell and rookie Kitan Crawford crossed paths at high speed while covering receivers. Their helmets appeared to impact, and Russell fell to the ground after the impact. The Cardinals’ trainers and medical staff acted quickly. The paramedics attended to Russell, stabilized him, and removed him from the field. Before the stretcher moved, the players gathered to show their support. Coach Jonathan Gannon gathered the team at midfield and ended practice about six minutes earlier than scheduled.Russell signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals in May, worth $1.1 million. Previously, he played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022. In Tampa, he participated in 30 games, with four starts, accumulating 36 tackles, two passes defended, one sack, and one tackle for a loss of yards in three years. He also recorded 13 tackles and one fumble recovery on special teams. Last season, Russell reached career highs with 16 games played, three starts, 25 tackles, and two passes defended.“You never want to see something like that,” veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell said after practice. “It’s unfortunate. We hope everything is okay. We’ll see how the process plays out, but I was glad to see him moving, so it’s tough, but it’s things that happen in football.”
Calais Campbell
