Cardinals LT Gandy ended season early after surgery

The Arizona Cardinals have placed starting left tackle Mike Gandy on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, ending the player’s season early with two games yet to play.

Gandy had started 31 consecutive games, counting last season’s playoffs, before the injury kept him out of the Dec. 2 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He tried to come back the following back and indeed put on his Cardinals jersey to start against the San Francisco 49ers, but was unable to finish the game and came out in the third quarter.

Jeremy Bridges took over Gandy’s job in the lineup and may start this Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams, his first start since signing with Arizona on Sept. 8. Linebacker Pago Togafau was promoted from the practice squad to take the roster room left by Gandy.