Darryl

Blackstock

A special teamer, Blackstock appeared in all 16 games last season after being out of the game for two years. Still on the right side of 30, he could resurface.

The former Virginia Cavalier will be a special teamer and backup at all three linebacker spots. A third-round pick in 2005, Blackstock spent last season out of football. He hasn’t been much of a pass-rushing presence as a pro.

McClain has been dealing with this injury since early October. Darryl Blackstock filled in at middle linebacker once again, compiling four tackles and a sack in the loss.

A player we were high on coming out of Virginia, Blackstock had a quiet rookie year on the strong-side. He’s competing with incumbent Orlando Huff for a starting job this year and is worth keeping an eye on in IDP leagues.

Blackstock, 29, rejuvenated his career a bit in Oakland last season after a two-year hiatus from the game. Largely a special teamer but possessing some 4-3 linebacker tools, Blackstock will compete for a roster spot in camp.

No other notable inactives for Arizona.

An exciting 3-4 player at Virginia, Blackstock will start this year as a backup. He has some major long-term IDP potential.

Both players are likely to miss the season if they opt for surgery, which is expected. Okeafor is the big story here, as the Cardinals have poor depth behind him. They may have to stay more in a 4-3 instead of their preferred 3-4 alignment as a result. First-round pick Levi Brown will immediately move into the starting lineup, replacing Ross on Matt Leinart’s blind side.

It’ll either be Blackstock or Calvin Pace at the strong outside linebacker position for Arizona. Blackstock has just 23 tackles in his two-year career.

He beat out Darryl Blackstock for the gig. Pace shouldn’t be a factor in IDP leagues this season unless the Cardinals use a lot of 3-4 fronts. It doesn’t seem likely that they will with Chike Okeafor probably done for the year.