Arizona Cardinals’ Ed Stinson injures groin, status for Rams game up in the air

TEMPE, Ariz. — Ed Stinson has been a pleasant surprise for the Arizona Cardinals, stepping up for the team when Calais Campbell was out with an injury and parlaying that performance into a consistent role upon his return.

After playing just 40 snaps in the first four games of the season, Stinson saw his reps increase to a total of 153 over the last four.

Though his stats do not jump off the page — he has amassed just eight total tackles this season, many of which have come on special teams — the fifth-round pick out of Alabama has quickly become a key member of Arizona’s strong defense.

Unfortunately, Stinson pulled a groin while running at the end of Friday’s practice, leaving his status for Sunday’s tilt with the St. Louis Rams in doubt. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said being without Stinson would be “big.”

“Because he’s playing about 35 snaps a game right now, he’s playing very well, so it would really hurt the rotation on the D-line,” he added.

Stinson is listed as “questionable” on the official injury report, which means him playing is a 50-50 proposition.

But when asked about his status, the 24-year-old sounded optimistic that going through treatment over the next couple of days will be enough to get him back on the field.

Besides, while he said he’s never dealt with an issue like this before, ultimately he does not believe the groin injury to be “that serious.”

“So hopefully I’ll be good,” he said.

If Stinson is unable to play, Arians said Kareem Martin or Alameda Ta’amu will be called on to pick up the slack.

A third-round pick out of North Carolina last May, Martin has seven tackles this season. Ta’amu has been working his way back into form after tearing his ACL last season.

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