Cardinals Say Rookie Will See Increased Playing Time

There's no secret the Arizona Cardinals have been banged up, though the absence of one leaves opportunity for another. 

With inside linebackers Kyzir White and recently Josh Woods added to injured reserve, the Cardinals will call upon rookie linebacker Owen Pappoe to step up for the remaining three games of the season. 

"Everyone who has a jersey is going to pick up the slack," Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier today when asked if Pappoe would gain playing time.

"We'll miss Josh [Woods] but those guys are excited about their opportunity and their role changing a little bit now because of injury and they're ready to go."

Krys Barnes and Zeke Turner are other options in the interior. 

Pappoe was taken in the fifth round by Arizona in the 2023 NFL Draft after a dazzling show at the NFL Combine, which saw him run an official 4.39 40-yard dash time, tied for the second fastest time by a LB since 2003. 

Pappoe has featured in 13 games thus far with four tackles and one quarterback hit to his name. While earning his stripes on special teams, Pappoe has played all 13 of his season snaps within the last three weeks.