The Arizona Cardinals abruptly ended their Thursday training camp session after linebacker J.J. Russell was carted off the field following a violent collision. The incident occurred during a 7-on-7 drill when Russell collided at full speed with rookie Kitan Crawford.
The impact left Russell motionless on the ground, prompting immediate attention from the team’s medical personnel. Practice was officially ended six minutes early by head coach Jonathan Gannon in response to the seriousness of the situation.
Russell Hospitalized After Scary Collision, Returns to Camp Following Negative Injury Tests
Following the collision, Russell was stabilized on a backboard and taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital. According to a team statement on social media, Russell was alert and had movement in his extremities, which was a positive initial sign. The incident visibly shook the team, with players gathering around Russell before he was carted off the field to show support.
J.J. Russell (NFL)Several hours after the injury, the Cardinals provided an encouraging update: all tests for head and neck injuries came back negative, and Russell had been released from the hospital. He returned to the team’s training camp later that same day. This news brought relief to the team and fans alike, who had feared a more serious outcome after witnessing the collision.
Campbell Expresses Concern as Russell’s Injury Highlights Football’s Physical and Emotional Toll
Veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell shared his perspective after practice, expressing sympathy and relief. “It sucks… but I was happy to see him moving,” he said. Campbell emphasized that while injuries are part of football, witnessing a teammate get carted off is always difficult. He also noted from personal experience that such situations can look worse than they are, reinforcing hope for Russell’s full recovery.
J.J. Russell joined the Cardinals in May on a one-year, $1.1 million deal. He began his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Over three seasons, he played 30 games, recording 36 tackles and other key defensive stats.
His most productive season came last year, when he posted career highs in games played (16), starts (3), and tackles (25). Russell also contributed significantly on special teams, underscoring his value and resilience as a professional athlete.
