Kaleb Proctor Could Miss The Season, And The NFC West Is Already Unpredictable

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! We're barely into June, minicamps are just wrapping up around the league, and the NFC West is already pulling some wild stuff. Over in Arizona, our division rivals, the Cardinals, just got hit with some brutal news: rookie defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor, a guy they were probably banking on, tore his meniscus and his coach, Mike LaFleur, straight up said he *could miss the entire season*. Seriously? Before training camp even kicks off on July 22, the dude might be out? This changes the entire dynamic of that team, and honestly, the whole division, right now.

Cardinals Rookie DL Sidelined, But One Vet Is Ready To Shock The League

You gotta feel for Proctor. A rookie, coming in trying to make an immediate impact, and boom, meniscus tear. LaFleur's comment about him potentially missing the entire season is a massive blow, especially for a team trying to find its footing. Losing a guy with that potential before he even gets a real shot is tough. But hey, while one guy is down, another is apparently making a "surprising return" over in the desert. Cornerback Garrett Williams, who tore his Achilles in Week 16 last season, is reportedly on track to be back. An Achilles tear in Week 16 and a "surprising return" in time for camp? That's some serious grit, and for the Cardinals, that's probably a much-needed silver lining to the Proctor news. Still, a rookie DL missing time in a division with guys like our own Sam Darnold looking to cook? That's a huge shift in the trenches.

QB Questions and Offensive Expectations

Now, onto the offensive side of the ball for our rivals. Coach LaFleur, after minicamp wrapped up and players headed off, isn't "dwelling on QB1" right now. Guess they're keeping their cards close to the vest, or maybe they just aren't sure themselves who's getting the snaps. We also hear that quarterback Jacoby Brissett and linebacker Josh Sweat finally showed up for minicamp after skipping voluntary workouts. Better late than never, I guess, but it makes you wonder about the vibe. The one bright spot LaFleur did highlight, though, was tight end Trey McBride, saying "sky is the limit" for him in their new offense. LaFleur even compared him to George Kittle, which is high praise from anyone who knows football. An elite tight end can be a nightmare for defenses, so we'll be watching that closely. So, what does all this mean for us, the 12s, as we look toward the season? The Cardinals report to training camp on July 22. With their rookie defensive lineman potentially out for the year, and some uncertainty around their QB spot, it just makes the NFC West look even more unpredictable. Every game in this division is going to be a battle, and these early season developments just crank up the intensity. Get ready, Seattle, because this season is going to be a ride, and we need to be ready to own this division!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.