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Butler had a punt blocked in each of his two games with Arizona, but Arians said neither was the fault of the punter. The four punts he did get off averaged 54.5 yards per kick.
Arizona placed the 15-year NFL veteran on injured reserve on Friday.
Abraham played six seasons with the New York Jets and seven with the Atlanta Falcons before signing with Arizona as a free agent.
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.
Abraham is the NFL's active career sacks leader with 133 ½,Wholesale Jerseys USA, 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.
Arians said the team will miss Abraham's leadership, too, calling him "an extra coach."
The extent of the injury became apparent in a concussion test Abraham took on Thursday.
Then this week, backup running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on domestic violence charges. The Cardinals quickly placed Dwyer on the non-football illness list,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, ending his season.
"That's an example of the league being proactive and looking after a guy's interests," Carlson said. "I appreciate that. There's been such a shift in recent years in the league, starting at the top and that's a great thing that they're looking after his long-term health."
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.
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.
"The concussion protocol really did its job coming back finding a couple of problems," Arians said. "The doctors feel that he should shut it down for at least a year. We're glad we caught it now and not later."
Abraham had a tumultuous early season with Arizona,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale.
'I think the concussion had a part to do with the depression and everything that went on last week,Cheap Jerseys Online," Arians said. "He was excited and ready to roll and hoping to get the OK from the doctor, then to get that kind of news was real hard."
It's the latest in a series of problems to hit the Cardinals.
Abraham had four forced fumbles last season, giving him 48 for his career, tied with Jason Taylor for most in NFL history.
Quarterback Carson Palmer is out with a nerve injury in his shoulder. The team lost defensive tackle Darnell Dockett for the season with a knee injury in training camp,Wholesale Stitched Jerseys.
"You feel bad for somebody who it's probably the end of their line," coach Bruce Arians said.
Arians said Acho, Alexander and recent signee Thomas Keiser will rotate at Abraham's position.
Outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said the team will miss "just the football experience, a guy that's played in the league for 15 years and played at that high level."
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — A severe concussion has ended John Abraham's season, and perhaps his career.
Asked what those problems were, the coach said he wasn't smart enough to know what "all those words" mean, "but it's not good."
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.
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 Alexander to injury against New Orleans in the third game of last season.
Tight end John Carlson,World Baseball Classic Jerseys Outlet, who has had his own concussion issues, noted how the NFL's attitude toward those injuries has changed. |
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