Jordan Phillips continues to have problems getting on the field while playing for the Cardinals.
The team put the defensive lineman on injured reserve Thursday with an undisclosed injury, meaning he must be out at least three weeks before he can return. Phillips had missed most of camp and every preseason game with injury issues. He then ended up testing positive for Covid, and just came off that list earlier this week.
The Cardinals also activated guard Justin Pugh from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Cardinals are off until they return to practice Monday. The season opener is Sept. 12 in Tennessee. Phillips will be eligible to come off IR Sept. 23, the Thursday before the road game Week 3 at Jacksonville, meaning he will likely miss at least the first three games of the season.
Phillips, who signed a three-year contract as a free agent in 2020 with $18.5 million guaranteed, appeared in only nine games last season with two sacks. He had two separate stints on IR last season, both because of a hamstring problem.
The Cardinals kept seven defensive linemen, so they have depth even with Phillips down. J.J. Watt, Zach Allen and Corey Peters are the projected starters, with Rashard Lawrence, Leki Fotu and Michael Dogbe in the rotation.
