The Arizona Cardinals’ already depleted roster took another hit this weekend, and it’s a tough one for a team still trying to find consistency down the stretch. Wide receiver and return specialist Greg Dortch has been placed on injured reserve due to a chest injury, the team announced Saturday as part of their roster moves ahead of Sunday’s Week 14 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Dortch suffered the injury in last week’s game and didn’t log a single practice rep this week. He was officially ruled out on the final injury report, and now, with just five games left in the regular season, his move to IR likely means his 2025 campaign is over. NFL rules require a minimum four-game absence for players placed on injured reserve, and the math just doesn’t work in his favor.
If this is the end of the road for Dortch this season, he leaves behind a quietly impactful stat line. He caught 29 passes for 206 yards and found the end zone three times.
But where he really made his mark was on special teams. Dortch averaged a strong 26.2 yards on 39 kick returns and posted a career-best 11.6 yards per punt return - a number that speaks to his ability to flip field position and create hidden yardage, the kind that doesn’t always show up in the box score but matters on Sundays.
For a Cardinals squad that’s leaned heavily on role players and depth guys all year, Dortch’s absence is more than just a footnote. He’s been one of those glue guys - not always flashy, but dependable, versatile, and valuable in the margins. Losing him means more pressure on the rest of the receiving corps and special teams unit to fill the void.
Arizona’s season hasn’t gone according to plan, and injuries have played a big part in that. Dortch’s trip to IR is just the latest blow in a year where the Cardinals have struggled to keep key contributors on the field.