After laying what some are calling a dirty hit on Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill – likely knocking the signal caller out for the rest of the season – during Sunday’s game, Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell is apologizing to Tannehill while defending what took place.
Campbell told the Cardinals’ team website he sent a text saying he did not intend for Tannehill to get hurt, saying he was “playing hard” and was pushed down onto the quarterback’s knee.
“It definitely wasn’t on purpose,” Campbell said. “I’ve never been that kind of guy, I never will be that kind of guy.”
Initially feared to be a complete tear of his ACL, tests revealed that Tannehill suffered a sprain to both his ACL and MCL. While it’s highly unlikely that he would able to return in the regular season or a possible playoff run, the team and head coach Adam Gase said they will evaluate his rehab needs before making the decision official.
Campbell, who played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, was fined earlier in the season for a similar hit on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during a game. He was not flagged on either play.
