Mason Cole is going to get his shot in the NFL sooner than expected.
The third-round draft pick and four-year starter at Michigan is now the starting center for the Arizona Cardinals, reports The Arizona Republic.
Cole was thrust into the role on Monday after veteran center A.Q. Shipley suffered a torn ACL over the weekend. Shipley, 32, had started every game for Arizona over the last two seasons.
That leaves Cole -- the 97th overall pick -- the opportunity to take reps with the first-team offense.
Cole, 22, started 51 consecutive games along the offensive line at Michigan.