Cardinals rookie Chase Bisontis has MCL surgery

Arizona Cardinals rookie offensive guard Chase Bisontis has undergone surgery for a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the procedure is expected to keep him out for most of his first NFL season, according to the team’s injury assessment described in the report.

The injury happened during Thursday night’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Cardinals have not announced a firm timetable for Bisontis’ return, leaving his availability open-ended as the regular season approaches.

Injury happened against Las Vegas in the third Injury happened against Las Vegas in the third quarter Bisontis was injured in the third quarter when Bisontis was injured in the third quarter when a defensive lineman made contact with his left knee. He was carted off the field after the play, the repoSources said. Imaging later confirmed the ligament tear. Following medical evaluation, the decision was made to proceed with surgical treatment, with no specific recovery timeline provided by the team. Arizona’s right guard competition shifts without Bisontis Bisontis’ absence changes the Cardinals’ plans along the interior of the offensive line. The second-round pick had been competing with Isaiah Adams for the starting right guard job, and the injury forces an immediate adjustment in practice repetitions and depth-chart roles, according to the report.

With Bisontis sidelined indefinitely, the club’s priority now turns to settling its guard rotation and maintaining adequate depth inside. The repoSources said identifying the next options in the competition becomes more urgent as preparations continue.

For a team still working through preseason evaluations, the loss of a rookie lineman can also affect how coaches distribute reps across multiple positions and combinations. That matters most on the interior, where continuity and communication are central to protection and run-game execution.

It cited similar injuries that sidelined draft picks Report links injury to recent rookie offensive line setbacks The report described Bisontis’ injury as part of a recent run of preseason health setbacks involving the Cardinals’ rookie offensive linemen. It cited similar injuries that sidelined draft picks Christian Jones in 2024, Hayden Conner in 2023, and Jon Gaines in 2023.

In those cases, the repoSources said the players missed significant portions—or in some instances all—of their debut seasons. Bisontis now becomes another young lineman facing an early-career interruption while the team continues to shape its roster and depth.

Officials have not provided a return date, and the repoSources said the nature of the surgery points to a lengthy rehabilitation process. For now, the only confirmed elements are the diagnosis, the surgical treatment, and the lack of a defined recovery window.