Former SLU defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor became the first Lion drafted since 2016 and signed a four-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, but is likely to miss the majority of his rookie season.

After Proctor was drafted in the fifth round following spring practice in Arizona, the media was told he had torn his meniscus.

Head coach for the Cardinals, Mike LaFleur, said it’s likely that he will miss the majority of his rookie season but did not rule him out for the entirety of the 2026 season.

“Kaleb Proctor had a meniscus tear, so he will miss quite a bit of time, if not and I don’t want to say absolute, the whole year,” Coach LaFleur said.

Through his college tenure, he remained loyal to the Lions and played all four years in Hammond.

He finished his collegiate career as a starter in 48 games with 45 solo tackles, 16 sacks and 26 tackles for lost yards.

At Southeastern, Proctor was placed on the 2024 All Southland Conference Second Team during his junior year and was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year his senior year. 

Proctor stayed with the Lions and was one of the key players that helped lead Southeastern to an impressive 9-4 record and the sixth NCAA FCS playoff appearance in school history.

Along with being an impressive member of the team’s defensive lineup, Proctor also became the first SLU football player to be drafted into the NFL since 2016. 

This rookie deal is said not to be impacted by his injury, which led him to sign the contract, leaving Carson Beck as the only unsigned fourth-round pick. 

With only one month left till training camp begins, Proctor has officially signed the deal and is locked in with the Cardinals for the next four years.