Report: Cardinals rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis suffers torn MCL, expected to have surgery

The Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line depth took a serious early-season blow when rookie offensive lineman Chase Bisontis was carted off the field during Thursday’s preseason game, according to Yahoo Sports’ report. The injury is being described as a torn MCL, and the same report says Bisontis is expected to undergo surgery next week to address the problem.

The update, attributed to NFL Network reporters Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport in the Yahoo account, does not set a firm timeline for recovery. However, the report frames the injury as one that could cost Bisontis all or at least most of the 2026 season, which would be a major swing for a team trying to establish continuity and durability across its front five.

For Arizona, the impact is more than one player. Offensive line development is typically built through reps, preseason continuity, and early-season availability for communication and technique alignment. Losing a rookie lineman who is still learning the professional pace can force coaches to reshuffle who plays which spots, and it can also reduce the number of live-game looks available for other younger blockers competing for depth roles.

The reported timing also matters. Preseason injuries can accelerate roster decisions, especially when the team is balancing development, injury insurance, and the desire to keep a consistent offensive scheme. Even if the Cardinals maintain their core group, a second-wave injury at the line often changes how often backups see action and which positions they practice most heavily during the final stretch of camp.

It is still important to separate reporting from confirmation. As of now, the account indicates what is being reported rather than what has been officially announced by the team medical staff, and the exact severity, surgical plan, and rehab timetable are not detailed in the Yahoo write-up. That means any projection about the length of time Bisontis will miss should be treated cautiously until there is team confirmation.

If Bisontis does proceed with surgery next week, the next key question becomes how Arizona manages the immediate competition among its offensive line depth. The Cardinals will likely place additional emphasis on next-man-up preparedness at tackle and interior spots, while keeping flexibility in case other injuries or limitations emerge during the rest of the preseason window.

Watch also for what this means for roster construction after the surgery decision. Teams often respond to a potentially long absence by relying more heavily on existing depth, elevating practice-squad contributors, or adjusting practice priorities to ensure multiple linemen can handle in-game responsibilities.

Bisontis’ injury is a reminder of how quickly preseason availability can change. For Arizona, it also increases the urgency of finding reliable contributions from backups early in the season, because offensive line stability is often the difference between a smooth start and a group that is forced to figure things out under real-game stress.