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The Cardinals have had to reconfigure their offensive line all season to try and make something work, in part because of injuries.

They might have suffered their most difficult blow Sunday against the Rams, however, when center and offensive captain Lyle Sendlein suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Sendlein will miss the final five games of the season, the team confirmed.

Sendlein was hurt during the Cardinals’ opening possession Sunday yet stayed in to play the rest of the game. He had played 81 straight games for the team and was the bedrock of the line dating back to the team’s Super Bowl run in 2008.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt didn’t know Sendlein’s status during his morning press conference Monday, but noted “he’s tough. You know that.” That has been proven; Sendlein played almost the entire 2008 season after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder early in the year.

Rich Ohrnberger is expected to replace Sendlein in the lineup, although current right guard Adam Snyder has also played center in the past. Replacing Sendlein’s leadership might be a taller order.

The Cardinals have been scrambling on the offensive line all season. They lost starting left tackle Levi Brown to a right triceps injury and later ended up benching fill-in D’Anthony Batiste. The Cards are already playing a pair of rookie tackles in Bobby Massie and Nate Potter, and now must use Ohrnberger, who has limited experience.

The Cardinals will likely place Sendlein on injured reserve at some point, which would free up a roster spot.