Cardinals starting center A.Q. Shipley went down after suffering a leg injury during the “Red & White” practice on Saturday.

He was able to walk off the field, though limping, and athletic trainers tended to him in a pop-up tent on the sideline.

After spending about five minutes in the tent, he was carted off, wearing a towel over his head. He did not return.

The team did not provide an update. The Cardinals are off on Sunday, and coach Steve Wilks’ next scheduled media availability is Monday. 

Larry Fitzgerald and D.J. Humphries both checked on Shipley while he was in the tent.

“I just hope he’s OK,” Fitzgerald said. 

Shipley has been an anchor on an injury-riddled offensive line. Of the expected starters, he is the only one who didn’t spend any time on injured reserve last year. He started every game the past two seasons, and his stalwart style earned high praise from Wilks earlier this week.

“The guy that really anchors everything to me is A.Q.,” Wilks said on Friday. “I think Shipley does a great job just with his communication, identifying the ‘Mike’ (linebacker) and setting us up in the right protection.

“Everything starts with him. Everybody talks about (his lack of) size, length and this and that. But he’s gritty. He’s dirty. I mean, I love him.”

Rookie Mason Cole ran with the first team in Shipley’s place. While Cardinals fans hold their breath for Shipley, Cole does mirror the seven-year veteran in his consistency.  

He has started every game in his past eight seasons: all four years at Michigan and all four years in high school. He set a record at Michigan, starting 51 games in a row, and only missed three practices total during his time in Ann Arbor. 

“Mason has all the tools,” defensive tackle Corey Peters said. “I think he’s gonna be able to step in and do the job if need be. Once you have all the physical tools, it’s just about catching up mentally.”

Bucannon day to day

The news on Shipley comes in the wake of updates on a different injury. 

An MRI showed no structural damage to linebacker Deone Bucannon’s knee, according to Wilks. He will still be day to day and did not practice on Saturday. 

“I feel good,” Bucannon said after the team finished Saturday. “I’ll be back. Nothing serious, so thank God for that. Could have been a lot worse.”

He had hyperextended his knee after colliding with wide receiver Brice Butler’s helmet on Thursday. 

Bucannon benefited from the fact that his foot wasn’t planted. 

“I was able to get my cleat off the grass in time, but if I didn’t, it would have been a lot uglier than that,” he said. 

He’s eager to get back on the field, but in the meantime, Bucannon is still trying to take advantage of his time on the sidelines. 

“I’m excited to get these mental reps and continue to learn,” he said. 

Edmonds brings big plays, laughs

Chase Edmonds is building a highlight reel in training camp, but please don’t show Budda Baker. 

Baker and Edmonds met in open space Saturday after the rookie running back took a handoff up the middle and found his way to the second level. Edmonds trucked the second-year safety but refused to gloat afterward.

“Please don’t (ask Baker about it),” Edmonds deadpanned. “I don’t want a target on my number from the defense.”

The crowd roared, giving Edmonds an extra charge.

“I’m not used to this type of crowd coming from an FCS school,” the rookie from Fordham said. “This is probably the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen in person. It’s tremendous.”

Greg Moore contributed to this report.

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