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Cardinals tackle Marcus Gilbert opts out of 2020 season

Posted 8/13/20

Tackle Marcus Gilbert was the only Cardinal to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus prior to last week's deadline.

The Cardinals signed Gilbert, a long-time Pittsburgh …

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Cardinals tackle Marcus Gilbert opts out of 2020 season

Posted

Tackle Marcus Gilbert was the only Cardinal to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the coronavirus prior to last week's deadline.

The Cardinals signed Gilbert, a long-time Pittsburgh Steeler, in 2019 but he sat out the season after tearing his ACL in the preseason. Assuming he had fully recovered from his injury, Gilbert was projected to be the team's starting right tackle this year.

Gilbert had signed a one-year extension with the Cardinals in the off-season and will be a free agent in 2021.

Without naming particular pre-existing condition, Gilbert stated that he and his family were "high-risk" in a Twitter post last week. The post reads, in full:

"After much thought and prayer, I have decided to opt of out the 2020 NFL season. While this decision was not easy for me, I felt it was the best decisision due to my standing as a high-risk player with high-risk family members. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me over many years in the NFL and I am looking forward to returning stronger than ever for the 2021 NFL season. Furthermore, I am sending out my thoughts and prayers for the safety and success of my teammates and all those playing across the league this year."

In Gilbert's absense, the job will likely fall to Justin Murray who started 12 games last season with 2020 third-round pick out of Houston Josh Jones and recently-signed veteran Kelvin Beachum also competiting for the job or at least adding depth at tackle.