The Arizona Cardinals agreed to re-sign linebacker and special teams standout Dennis Gardeck to a three-year, $12 million deal on Monday, according to his agency. Gardeck has mostly played on special teams in his four years with the Cardinals, which explains why he only has 57 combined tackles (42 solo), eight tackles for loss, 14 QB hits, three fumble recoveries and seven sacks in four seasons over 58 games (three starts). The 27-year-old had all seven of his career sacks in 2020 and played a career-high 159 defensive snaps in his 14 games in 2021. Gardeck should not be rostered in IDP leagues, but he could have a bigger role with the Cardinals in 2022.
The Arizona Cardinals placed linebacker Dennis Gardeck (hand) on Injured Reserve on Saturday. Gardeck was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list after the team's preseason finale late last month, but he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2020. He will be out for at least the first three games of the season and possibly longer, which should allow Chandler Jones to see extensive playing time for the Cardinals defense. While Arizona's defense tied for fourth in the NFL with 48 sacks a season ago, most fantasy managers are staying away to kick off the season due to their matchup with the Tennessee Titans. A Week 2 matchup against the Vikings isn't all that enticing either, but they could enter the streaming picture in Week 3 when they face the Jaguars and rookie QB Trevor Lawrence.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck signed his one-year tender offer as a restricted free agent on Thursday after he had the second-most sacks on the team last year. He signed with Arizona as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Sioux Falls and didn't play a defensive snap in his career until Week 5, when linebacker Chandler Jones suffered a season-ending torn biceps. Gardeck had two sacks in nine snaps in that game and finished the season with seven sacks, behind only Haason Reddick's 12.5. Gardeck suffered a torn ACL in Week 15 and underwent surgery in January, but his recovery seems to be going very well. He should continue to have a role on defense in 2021 while also serving on the special teams unit.
Cardinals Give Second-Round Tender To Dennis Gardeck
The Arizona Cardinals are giving impending restricted free-agent outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck a second-round tender after he recorded seven sacks (second on the team) last season in limited playing time. Gardeck, also a special teams captain will make $3.4 million if he re-signs with the Cardinals in 2021. Fellow special teamer and backup linebacker Zeke Turner will be tendered at the right-of-first-refusal level, which would pay him $2.1 million this year. Gardeck was an undrafted free agent out of Sioux Falls in 2018, but his 2020 season came to an abrupt end in December when he needed season-ending knee surgery on his ACL. The 26-year-old has 34 combined tackles (28 solo), seven tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries in 44 appearances in three seasons with the Cardinals and could be a rising star.
Cardinals Defense Loses Dennis Gardeck To Injured Reserve
The Arizona Cardinals placed linebacker Dennis Gardeck (knee) on Injured Reserve on Thursday with a knee injury, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Gardeck will miss the final two regular season games and the first postseason game, if Arizona qualifies. The undrafted 26-year-old has been one of the team's best defensive playmakers in 2020 and is second on the club with seven sacks. Gardeck hadn't played a defensive snap in the NFL until All-Pro Chandler Jones (biceps) was lost for the season back in October. He was injured in the Week 15 win over the Eagles and had two sacks in the game before his injury. Arizona's defense is still a top-10 fantasy unit this weekend against the Niners and backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, but they'll have to deal with the return of All-Pro tight end George Kittle (foot) now.
Dennis Gardeck
• OLB
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Cardinals
