It looks like Brett Keisel won’t be part of the Cardinals’ plans to replace Darnell Dockett on the defensive line this season.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reported earlier on Tuesday that the veteran defensive end was scheduled to meet with the Cardinals in the wake of Dockett’s torn ACL. Somers is now reporting that Keisel declined the invitation to visit with the team by saying that he didn’t want to leave his family to play in Arizona this season.
Keisel said early this offseason that he’d like to return to the Steelers, but said he was open to playing for other teams as well. The Steelers have not ruled out a return, but there’s been no recent sign that a reunion is in the cards for the 12-year veteran with the only team he’s ever played for in the NFL.
With Keisel out of the picture, the Cardinals will have to look elsewhere for help filling the void left by Dockett. Whoever they tab for that role will have a hard time providing the same kind of production on a defense that’s now lost three of its top contributors from last season.