Arizona Cardinals Injury Update: Stephen Spach on IR, Jerame Tuman Signed

by Hawkwind on Jan 13, 2009 11:25 AM MST

The Arizona Cardinals got some bad news today when Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Stephen Spach's season is over. He tore his ACL against the Panthers meaning that the Cardinals will have to sign another tight end before this Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Eagles. Whisenhunt wouldn't say who that player would be but the most likely option will be Jerame Tuman who was cut just a couple of weeks ago. Tuman's health will probably be the deciding factor but if he's healthly, I'd expect he's back in Cardinal-red by day's end.

Spach was an unheralded pickup by the Cardinals towards the end of October but it didn't take him long to make an impression. Spach became the Cards' starting tight end by his third game in town and he started six of the next seven games, missing only the season finale. He's looked like the best, and by far healthiest, tight end in Arizona since he was added and he'll most likey be back in camp next season.

Update: As expected the Cardinals signed Jerame Tuman today and he'll play on Sunday. It sounds like either Leonard Pope or Ben Patrick will get the starting nod though.

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Personally, I’m really bummed about Spach’s injury. He was the type of TE Whisenhunt was looking for: solid blocker with enough athleticism to go out in a pattern and make a play. He’s effectively a young Tuman. Heal up Spach and see you in OTAs if not sooner.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 12, 2009 12:19 PM MST reply actions

I feel really sad, like our hope relied on him.

Maybe we’ve already found the answer in a peculiar spot. A third tackle in on running downs. What can Brown do for you indead? Just block dude.

by hevchv on Jan 12, 2009 5:38 PM MST up reply actions

This sucks..

He was doing good. The Cards need that mentality that when one player goes down, another steps right up.

by Andrew602 on Jan 12, 2009 2:15 PM MST reply actions

Yeah - this sucks - Pope had better step up and play!

by CardsIrish on Jan 12, 2009 3:24 PM MST reply actions

So out of the three remaining

Who ya got? Pope, Patrick, *Brown, or possibly Tuman

by Andrew602 on Jan 12, 2009 5:41 PM MST reply actions

Alex Shor needs his chance...no pressure, it's only the NFC Championship game. :P

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 12, 2009 6:06 PM MST up reply actions

Just trying to give my NFLE alumnus some love

This will be his last year eligible for the Cards’ practice squad so I’d like to see him get a chance. Considering the TE situation, why not?!

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 12, 2009 7:51 PM MST up reply actions

I'm worried with Spach out

Hope this doesn’t have to big of an impact on our resurgent run game.

by badmatty53 on Jan 13, 2009 9:16 AM MST reply actions

Tuman was still available? What a surprise!

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 13, 2009 11:34 AM MST reply actions

HAR HAR!

This may be early but I was really feeling like Spach was/is a Heath Miller type. Great blocking, can make big plays, has a whole heap of heart. I’m really looking forward to him getting back into the mix soon. Don’t forget that Spach also played ST’s. Many a return had Spach very close to where the ball stopped.

Pope and Patrick can be known to catch a few now and then, but most of the time they drop the pass and give one of those “my bad” smiles, that are not funny at all.

But I do hope that seeing what Spack can do causes them to wake up and step up.

Too bad this isn’t like hockey, when a team is rules out of the playoffs the team that is still in picks up their all stars for future draft picks and other things. I’d like to see Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez show up in a Cardinals uniform for a game, or two if everything went right.

by CardsFan08 on Jan 13, 2009 3:49 PM MST up reply actions

haha thatd be nice

Im interested to see Spach next year. Hopefully one of these TE’s can step up. Im all for Elton Brown!

by Andrew602 on Jan 14, 2009 10:29 AM MST up reply actions

Spach was in motion a lot for the Carolina game

Which really helped to disguise the run/pass design of the play. Do we see Pope or Patrick in motion? Tuman? Elton? Edge and Hightower had some good yards on those motion plays. Spach will definitely be missed. Who knew!?

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Jan 14, 2009 11:21 AM MST reply actions