Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson suffered a calf injury late in August, causing him to land on injured reserve and miss the first 11 games of his rookie season. Upon returning, Robinson had a solid rotational role, averaging 50% of defensive snaps over the past six games. He totaled ten tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack. He also posted two pressures, a 3.4% pass-rush win rate, four run stops, and a 6.6% stop rate.
Darius Robinson had a rough second season, battling a pectoral injury that caused him to miss Weeks 5 and 6, and was one of the league’s worst pass rushers and run defenders. Robinson totaled 43 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and one sack across 15 games, 12 starts, and 507 defensive snaps (the fourth-most at the position). He also posted ten pressures, a 2.4% pass-rush win rate (third-worst among qualified defensive ends), 14 run stops, and a 5.8% stop rate (88th-best).
The Arizona Cardinals’ 27th pick is facing a pivotal third season
Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darius Robinson (56) against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Darius Robinson faces a pivotal third season because he is expected to step into a larger defensive role with Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson gone and Kaleb Proctor expected to miss most of 2026 with a meniscus injury. Robinson will compete against Dante Stills and L.J. Collier for the starting No. 3 defensive end spot alongside projected nose tackle Roy Lopez and defensive tackle Walter Nolen III. If he wins, he is expected to contribute on early running downs while consistently rushing the passer.
If Robinson loses the starting job, the Cardinals could explore trading or even cutting him if he fails to carve out a rotational role on the defensive line. Given his injuries and early struggles, that is a real possibility. Since 2018, Arizona has moved on from two first-round picks early: Josh Rosen after one season in 2019 and Isaiah Simmons after just three seasons in 2023.
Robinson is very confident he can break out in 2026
“Super high because I know I can do it,” Robinson, 24, said at the team’s training facility on Tuesday, via Evan Slotnik of Cronkite News. “It’s just, ‘Can you be consistent?’
“I got better and better each year in college. So that’s the same way I’m visiting it now in the league, and just having that mindset, just attacking and just one day at a time. So I’m super excited.”
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