Season over for key Cardinals defender Abraham
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona has placed 15-year veteran John Abraham on injured reserve, ending his season with the Cardinals.
The 36-year-old outside linebacker sustained a concussion in the season opener against San Diego. He left the team briefly after that, reportedly contemplating retirement, before making an attempt to return this week.
He had not been able to practice, however.
The loss of Abraham is a significant blow to a Cardinals defense that lost tackle Darnell Dockett for the season with a knee injury.
Abraham is the NFL's active career sacks leader with 133 ½, ranking him ninth on the league's all-time list. He had a team-high 11 ½ sacks with the Cardinals last season and is in the second year of a two-year contract with Arizona.
Abraham had four forced fumbles last season, giving him 48 for his career, tied with Jason Taylor for most in NFL history.
Abraham had a tumultuous early season with Arizona.
He arrived late to training camp, later confirming that he had been undergoing rehabilitation for an alcohol issue. He was arrested in suburban Atlanta in June and accused of drunken driving.
Abraham played six seasons with the New York Jets and seven with the Atlanta Falcons before signing with Arizona as a free agent.
Originally, Abraham was to be only a pass-rush specialist with the Cardinals, but he moved into a full-time role when Arizona lost starting linebackers Sam Acho and Lorenzo Alexander to injury against New Orleans in the third game of last season.
Abraham went on to be one of the top players on a defense that ranked sixth overall in the NFL, earning his fifth Pro Bowl appearance.
His departure means more playing time for recent signee and ex-San Diego Charger Thomas Keiser, who played 50 snaps in last week's win over the New York Giants.
The Cardinals also re-signed punter Drew Butler because regular punter Dave Zastudil still is nursing a sore groin. Butler punted in both of Arizona's games but was cut Tuesday.
Butler had a punt blocked in each of his two games with Arizona. The four punts he did get off averaged 54.5 yards per kick.
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