TEMPE, Ariz. -- Coach Bruce Arians hinted after Monday's practice that the Cardinals were nearing a decision on rookie defensive tackle Ed Stinson. On Tuesday, that decision became clear.
The Cards placed Stinson on season-ending injured reserve due to a toe injury that has lingered for at least five weeks.
"He tried to go on it, didn't work," Arians said.
The Cardinals were hoping rehabilitation would allow Stinson to return this season, but the toe never fully healed. The loss is another blow to a defense that has been ravaged by injuries, and this one is more significant than most outsiders realize.
Stinson had a terrific rookie year. The fifth-round pick (160th overall) out of Alabama had just six tackles, but he was a stout run stuffer and helped the Cardinals absorb the loss of Darnell Dockett in the preseason to an ACL tear.
Stinson is the eighth Cardinal placed on injured reserve this season and the fourth defensive player. Outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy missed eight games on the IR/designated to return list.
To fill Stinson's roster spot, the Cardinals elevated wide receiver Brittan Golden from the practice squad and re-signed running back Zach Bauman to the practice squad.
Stinson originally suffered the injury in a home game against the Rams on Nov. 9. He missed the next four games but tried to play Thursday in St. Louis against the Rams. He managed just two defensive snaps.
Golden played five games with the Cardinals last season and caught four passes for 136 yards. He was released on Aug. 30 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.
Bauman is NAU's all-time leading rusher and a graduate of Chandler Hamilton High School. He spent two weeks on the practice squad earlier in the season.
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