The Arizona Cardinals officially placed outside linebacker BJ Ojulari on the injured reserve list Monday after he suffered a torn ACL last week.

“BJ’s gonna miss the year with a knee (injury),” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said Saturday. “He’ll have to have surgery. Obviously, feel bad for him, for the team. He did a lot of work this offseason (and) was going to be a big part of what we do. But he’ll come back stronger ready to go, better than ever next year.”

We have placed OLB BJ Ojulari on the Injured Reserve List.

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 5, 2024

Was able to walk off the field. pic.twitter.com/Z3cCwQqM95

— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) August 2, 2024

Ojulari, as Gannon said, was looking to take a big step in his second year in the NFL. The LSU product totaled 40 tackles, 20 pressures, and 4.0 sacks in his rookie 2023 season.

“You don’t have to say much,” Gannon said. “They are NFL football players. They know it’s kind of the known unknown. They feel bad for their teammate. A lot of guys have been through (that injury). He’ll lean on those guys.

“But it’s a you-know-what part of the business, but we know it happens. They have to pick up their head, the sun’s out now, and we’ve got to go to work.”

Now, the Cardinals will have to rely more on veteran Dennis Gardeck, who started ahead of Ojulari last season, and others. The recently-extended Zaven Collins will look to carry the group, as he plays on the opposite side of Ojulari and Gardeck. Arizona might also have to bring in outside help, as the team now has two open roster spots.