Cardinals DL May Need Surgery

Arizona Cardinals DL Leki Fotu reportedly broke a small bone in his hand and may need surgery, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. 

"DT Leki Fotu, one of their promising young defensive player who has impressed recently, broke a small bone in his hand, source said. He may end up needing surgery, but even with it, Fotu may not miss time," Rapoport wrote on X. 

In last week's loss against the Houston Texans, Fotu tallied four tackles, two TFL's and one sack on the day. 

He was one of Arizona's top graded players on Pro Football Focus despite playing just 12 snaps. Other defensive players such as Antonio Hamilton and Kyzir White went down with injuries during the game, too.

The Cardinals (2-9) have seen Fotu rise as a player worth watching over the course of 2023. To date, he has 25 total tackles and 2.5 sacks on the year, one of six Cardinals to put up those numbers. 

Arizona hopes Fotu won't miss anytime, though it's clear the Cardinals have a strong rotation of people in the front seven who can fill in for Fotu if needed. 12 players played 20 or more snaps for Arizona's front seven last week.

Fotu is 25-years-old and was fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He played all seventeen games for Arizona the past two seasons heading into 2023. 

Arizona plays host to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.