Cardinals G Mike Iupati Likely Out 6-8 Weeks Following Knee Surgery

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Cardinals G Mike Iupati is likely to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery this week, which would sideline him 6-8 weeks.

Earlier in the day, Cardinals HC Bruce Arians told reporters that Iupati was getting an MRI on his injured knee.

“I’m sending him to a doctor. I don’t know,” Arians said of Iupati injury, via AzCardinals.com. “He’s got a knee swelling a little bit.”

With Iupati out, it could open the door for Ted Larsen and Earl Watford to see more reps in the preseason and possible secure the starting job for their Week 1 match up.

Of course, if the Cardinals wanted to bring in a veteran, Evan Mathis is still available. However, he’s reportedly looking for a salary of around $5 million or so.

Iupati, 27, wound up signing a five-year, $40 million contract with the Cardinals back in March with the hope of solidifying their interior offensive line.

Last year, Iupati appeared in 15 games for the 49ers and was rated as the No. 15 guard in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s worth mentioning that he was PFF’s second highest graded guard in terms of run blocking.