The Arizona Cardinals now must replace starting right guard Will Hernandez, who suffered a season-ending knee surgery on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
They have young players they could develop as a starter, although they probably won’t.
The guy likely to step into the starting lineup is Trystan Colon, who replaced him on Sunday. The coaching staff trusts Colon, who also played a bit last season at left guard, starting four games and also rotating in regularly for Elijah Wilkinson.
Rookie Isaiah Adams, one of their third-round picks this year, and Jon Gaines II, selected in the fourth round last year, are guys they could give experience.
Long-term, that is probably the better option. But they are trying to win games now and, with Kyler Murray at quarterback, those young players need to be at least nearly as consistent as someone like Colon.
It would be exciting to see Gaines or Adams play, and they probably have a higher ceiling in terms of potential play, but for the offense to go well, they need more consistency than anything.
Starting Colon is the right move, provided he gives the offense the consistency it needs. If the younger guys start to show that consistency and can be trusted by the coaches, then is the time to work them in.
So while we might want to see younger players there, it probably just isn’t going to happen yet.
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