Arizona Cardinals rookie receiver Hakeem Butler suffered an untimely injury that will cost him the rest of the preseason. His hand fracture will keep him out of the final two preseason games and he might end up on injured reserve.
The Cardinals aren’t sure what they will do yet.
One one hand, it will make the roster a little easier to put together. Based on what he had done in the spring and thus far in the preseason, he wasn’t expected to contribute much as a rookie.
Placing him on injured reserve would free a roster spot either for a receiver who could contribute this year or a player at another position.
However, if he lands on injured reserve, 2019 is a lost year. They won’t be able to develop him because he will be unable to practice, which would mean he wouldn’t likely be any better in 2020 than he is now.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury loves what Butler offers because someone with his size, speed and playmaking ability is rare.
Can they afford to carry him on the active roster while he heals, especially with their current situation at cornerback? It seems doubtful.
If he has to sit out the season, this development will be something to watch next year. Will it hold him back and ultimately derail the career the Cardinals foresaw for him?
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