Brandon

Keith

Arizona GM Rod Graves has his hands full up front with LT Levi Brown also headed to the open market. Hampered by lower leg injuries in each of the past two seasons, Keith will have to prove he can stay healthy and effective before landing long-term security.

Their return would have to come at the right price and likely not until after the draft. Pass-blocking liability Jeremy Bridges would start at right tackle if the season started today, though the Cardinals are expected to address the position in the draft. AzCardinals.com’s Darren Urban “never got the sense” that Arizona is interested in free agent Marcus McNeill.

The severity of Keith’s injury isn’t yet known. There wouldn’t be a noticeable dropoff if he were to miss next week’s game against the Browns. Jeremy Bridges replaces him at right tackle.

Keith and Jeremy Bridges have been playing musical chairs at the right tackle spot all season anyway. There won’t be a huge dropoff if Keith isn’t cleared in time to play the Rams Sunday.

He and Jeremy Bridges have been taking turns losing the RT job, and are essentially below-average, interchangeable parts. Keith has been dealing with this injury for over a year, so we don’t expect him to get fully healthy anytime soon.

Keith first injured his ankle in Week 14, and aggravated it a week later before sitting out in Week 16. Poor in pass protection, Keith graded out as a slightly above average run blocker by Pro Football Focus. An impending free agent, Keith was a seventh-round pick of the Cardinals in 2008. He should be back to 100 percent health well before the beginning of camp. Jeremy Bridges will start in his absence against the Seahawks.

The Cardinals were getting eaten alive by Terrell Suggs and the Ravens, but it could have been anyone. Kevin Kolb has been sacked 24 times so far this season, second-most in the league behind Ben Roethlisberger. Coach Ken Whisenhunt admitted that a significant shakeup along the offensive line this week is possible, specifically mentioning LT Levi Brown as someone that could be benched.

Richard is a versatile interior lineman, while Keith and Heyer are tackles only. The Pats may have just been updating their “emergency” free agent list.

He was replaced by Jeremy Bridges. The two are essentially interchangeable, and both are below-average. We’ll bring you an update when we find out more.

Keith did some back to the sideline with his helmet, so it’s very possible he simply got benched in favor of Jeremy Bridges. Beat writer Kent Somers suggests Bridges may provide more stability at right tackle going forward.