Arizona Cardinals star LB returns to practice bringing much-needed help

Back in August of 2024, Ojulari had a knee injury that sidelined him the entire season, and his first appearance back with the team on the practice field since then was a great sight to see for the Cardinals. Arizona has leaned heavily on scheme creativity to manufacture pressure, but is still struggling to convert those chances into sacks, and that’s where Ojulari comes in. His first-step explosiveness and hand timing make him a true edge disruptor and the kind of talent their system needs to function at its peak. In 2023, Ojulari had 23 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, along with four sacks in 17 games played.

For Cardinals fans, this brings a glimmer of hope. The kind that builds around a young core instead of a patchwork of stopgaps. Ojulari’s return also restores balance to a defensive line that has been overextended and will allow Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell to play more situational roles. Their defense can’t be just about new veterans and patience with their young draft picks; it’s about timing.

If Ojulari’s health holds, the Cardinals may finally unleash the pass rush Gannon envisioned. Arizona wants to be fast, fearless, and disruptive, and that could change not only the defense’s trajectory but also the Cardinals’ season.