Cardinals, G Will Hernandez Agree To Deal
Will Hernandez is set to continue his career in the desert. The veteran guard’s recent Cardinals visit has produced a one-year agreement, he announced on Instagram Thursday. The team has since confirmed the move.
Late in July, Hernandez received full clearance upon completing the rehab process for his 2024 ACL tear. That made him one of the top free agent blockers on the market, and in short order the 29-year-old met with Arizona to discuss a new pact. Things have clearly gone well in that regard.
After playing out his rookie deal with the Giants, Hernandez has spent the past three years with the Cardinals. The former second-rounder initially took a one-year pact but was retained on a raise after his debut Arizona season. Hernandez has started each of his 35 games with his second career team, and he could reprise his first-team gig in 2025.
The Cardinals re-signed Evan Brown and he is in position to handle left guard duties. The other guard position is currently unsettled, however. As a result, Hernandez could fill that spot upon returning to the team. It will be interesting to see how large his workload is in training camp practices and preseason contests now that he is officially back in the fold.
Hernandez played on a $4.5MM-per-year pact when he re-signed with the Cardinals for the first time. Given his missed time last year, the UTEP product will no doubt be attached to a less lucrative deal this time around. Arizona entered Thursday with over $35MM in cap space, so this move will not affect any other roster moves planned for the near future.
2024 third-round pick Isaiah Adams started five games at right guard last season in Hernandez’s absence. He was the top option to handle that role on a full-time basis this season for much of the offseason, but things have now changed. With Hernandez in place once more, Adams will likely find himself as a backup option once again.
Cardinals Meet With G Will Hernandez
Will Hernandez spent the past three seasons with the Cardinals, starting every game he played. An ACL tear moved him out of Arizona’s lineup early last season, and the veteran guard remains a free agent.
The Cardinals still have Hernandez on their radar, however. They brought him in for a recent visit, per AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. The team has the recently re-signed Evan Brown in place at left guard but a question at the other spot. Hernandez returning to full strength in late July could provide an answer, though no signing has happened yet.
A former Giants second-round pick, Hernandez signed two Cardinals contracts since his New York rookie deal expired. Initially catching on for a near-veteran-minimum deal in 2022, Hernandez re-signed on a two-year, $9MM pact in 2023. Hernandez started 13 games in 2022 and 17 a year later, being a priority despite the Cardinals changing regimes in that span.
Pro Football Focus graded Hernandez as a top-30 guard in each of his first two Cardinals seasons. Last season brought a similar graded, albeit on just 280 offensive snaps. Overall, the UTEP product has made 91 career starts and appears likely to find a home somewhere before Week 1. This will be Hernandez’s age-30 season.
After Hernandez went down, the Cards turned to Trystan Colon-Castillo and Isaiah Adams at right guard. Colon-Castillo logged 372 snaps at the position, while Adams — a 2024 third-round pick — made 444. Adams started Arizona’s final five games, though Urban previously pointed to a late-summer addition. Hernandez would obviously qualify at this point, and he has two seasons in Drew Petzing‘s system.
The Cardinals’ third-round investment in Adams would point to the Cardinals wanting him in the RG role, and he entered camp in pole position. The Cardinals also have free agency addition Royce Newman, a 24-game Packers starter, as an option. A Hernandez return would certainly change the equation, and this visit puts a reunion on the radar.
Jaguars OL Dennis Daley Retires
Early this morning, the Jaguars announced that they have placed offensive lineman Dennis Daley on the reserve/retired list. Not much information has followed the announcement, but it appears Daley is hanging up his cleats at only 28 years old. 
Daley came into the league as a sixth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2019. After injuries to the interior offensive line forced the team to move starting left tackle Daryl Williams inside to cover and Greg Little, the rookie second-round tackle called in to replace him, went down, as well, Daley stepped into the starting left tackle role for nine games of his rookie year.
After starting Year 2 injured, Daley made three starts (two at right guard, one at left tackle) in five game appearances before getting placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. His third year in Carolina saw him continue to shuffle around, starting nine of 15 game appearances at right guard, left guard, and left tackle.
In 2022, the Panthers traded Daley and a seventh-round pick in 2024 to Tennessee in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round selection. When Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan went down on the first play of the team’s Week 2 matchup with a season-ending knee injury, Daley was inserted and started the remainder of the season as the Titans’ blindside blocker. Though the line helped running back Derrick Henry to finish second in rushing yards that year, Daley tied for the most sacks allowed in the NFL that season, and the line as a whole was considered one of the league’s worst.
In free agency, Daley signed a two-year, $3.2MM contract in Arizona. He ended up on IR just before the start of the regular season and only ended up playing in four contests with one start. The Cardinals released him in training camp last year, and he landed on the Jaguars’ practice squad. Ending the season with no game appearances, Daley signed a reserve/futures deal to spend the offseason with Jacksonville. In the end, he’ll never appear in a game with the Jaguars, now that he’s calling it a career.
In his short time with the NFL, Daley did more than a lot of sixth-round picks get to do. Starting 37 games in 54 appearances at multiple positions across the line, Daley made himself a reliable backup option despite a few major injuries of his own.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/25
Here are the minor NFL moves to close out the first weekend of August:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: OL Valentin Senn
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: T Ozzie Hutchinson
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Falcons): T Kilian Zierer
- Waived: FB Troy Hairston, WR Winston Wright
Dallas Cowboys
- Reverted to IR: T Matt Waletzko
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB David Long Jr.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Kawaan Baker, TE Albert Okwuegbunam
- Waived: TE Pat Conroy, WR Kyle Philips
New York Jets
- Reverted to IR: S Jaylin Simpson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LS Christian Johnstone
- Waived: CB BJ Mayes
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson, G Arlington Hambright
- Waived: WR Ramel Keyton, DE Devonte O’Malley
A couple more players waived with injury designations recently have made their way back to their teams on injured reserve.
In Philadelphia, Johnstone won an audition in which the Eagles worked out four longsnappers. This is Johnstone’s first NFL contract after going undrafted out of Appalachian State this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/25
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Nate McCollum
- Placed on IR: WR Quez Watkins
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: T Kilian Zierer
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: WR Parris Campbell
- Waived (with injury designation): T Matt Waletzko
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Justin Herron
- Waived: DL Raequan Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Levi Wallace
- Waived: DB Aydan White
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to IR: CB Darius Rush, CB Eric Scott
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from active/PUP list: TE Mark Redman
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from Broncos): CB Mario Goodrich
- Waived (with injury designation): S Jaylin Simpson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Danny Gray
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DT Breiden Fehoko
- Placed on IR: DT Dean Lowry
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Montana Lemonious-Craig
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Jacob Harris
- Placed on IR: OLB David Walker (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Braylon Sanders
- Placed on IR: TE Tyree Jackson
Watkins and Campbell are among the notable veterans who are out for the season unless they wind up being released via an injury settlement and later signing with another team. Watkins left Arizona’s practice early on Thursday, and subsequent evaluation has clearly confirmed a notable injury occurred.
Campbell is dealing with a knee ailment, ESPN’s Todd Archer notes. Injuries have been a near-constant issue for the 28-year-old, who has played a full season only once so far in his career. The Cowboys marked Campbell’s third consecutive NFC East team, but instead of competing for a roster spot he will once again turn his attention to recovery.
Wallace has 96 games and 72 starts to his name, although his 35% defensive snap share with the Broncos last season was by far the lowest of his career. The 30-year-old will head to Jacksonville in time for the preseason. A strong showing through the remainder of training camp could allow him to occupy a backup role in the Jags’ secondary this season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/25
Here are the first minor NFL moves in August:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB Jaden Davis
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Grayland Arnold
Buffalo Bills
- Reverted to IR: DE Hayden Harris
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Keenan Isaac
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): T Sebastian Gutierrez
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Garret Wallow
- Waived: CB Mario Goodrich
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Chris Lammons
- Released: CB Corey Ballentine
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: T Ricky Lee
- Waived: WR Louis Rees-Zammit (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Ajani Carter, CB Azizi Hearn, WR Key’Shawn Smith
- Waived (with injury designation): CB Darius Rush, CB Eric Scott Jr.
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Brett Gabbert
- Placed on IR: CB Kader Kohou (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Reverted to IR: DE Alex Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived (with injury settlement): OL Marcus Tate
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DT Kyler Baugh
- Waived (with injury designation): DT Jacob Slade
- Waived (with injury settlement): OLB Jeremiah Moon
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Curtis Robinson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to IR: S Marcus Banks, RB D.J. Williams
Washington Commanders
- Signed: Braylon Sanders
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/25
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from non-football injury list: LB Jake Hummel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Deon Cain
- Waived: CB Daryl Porter Jr.
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from active/NFI list: DT Bobby Brown, P Sam Martin
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Toa Taua
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Nick Whiteside
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: OL Elgton Jenkins
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josh Tupou
- Placed on IR: OT Jack Wilson
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: RB Nate Noel
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Chaz Chambliss
New England Patriots
- Activated from active/NFI list: S Josh Minkins
New Orleans Saints
- Released: OT Josh Ball
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: RB Zach Evans
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Quintez Cephus
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Donovan Kaufman
- Placed on IR: RB Kenny McIntosh (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Ramel Keyton
Jenkins, who switched to center this offseason, was dealing with a back injury in training camp and participated in a limited capacity on Monday, per USA Today’s Ryan Wood.
Evans, a sixth-round pick by the Rams in 2023, played in 10 games as a rookie but didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2024. He joined the Jets’ practice squad in December and signed a reserve/futures contract in January, but opted to retire instead.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/25
Here are Sunday’s minor transactions to close out the weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Steven Gilmore
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from active/NFI list: TE Dawson Knox, WR Laviska Shenault
Detroit Lions
- Released (with injury designation): CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Amar Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from active/PUP list: T Jawaan Taylor, TE Tre Watson
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from Dolphins): CB Ryan Cooper Jr.
- Waived: P Kai Kroeger
Arizona is adding the brother of Stephon Gilmore after placing two cornerbacks on injured reserve earlier today. Thomas-Oliver was released by the Lions a day after suffering a hamstring injury in practice. He had returned to practice only three days ago from the active/non-football injury list.
Cardinals CB Starling Thomas Suffers Torn ACL
2:25pm: Thomas has landed on injured reserve, per a team announcement. That move confirms he will join Murphy-Bunting in missing the entire 2025 campaign. Fellow cornerback Jaden Davis – who inked a futures deal in January – is also on IR.
11:56am: Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas suffered a torn ACL during Friday’s practice, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Thomas will likely miss all of 2025 as a result.
Thomas, 25, signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He impressed in his first training camp with Detroit but was unable to make the club’s 53-man roster at the end of the summer. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers, and by the end of his rookie season, he had become a full-time starter.
He continued to operate in that capacity in 2024, appearing in a full complement of games and starting 15 of them en route to a 75% snap share. While his peformance last season was certainly an improvement on his rookie showing, he has not yet made much of an impression in terms of surface-level stats or advanced metrics.
Pro Football Focus assigned Thomas an uninspiring 60.9 overall grade (with a matching coverage grade) in 2024, which placed him 76th out of 116 qualified corners. The UAB product also surrendered a 100.6 quarterback rating and is still waiting for his first career interception. He tallied just six passes defensed in his 820 defensive snaps last year.
While ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss believes the Cardinals are well-equipped to withstand Thomas’ absence, the team was seemingly counting on him to remain a key contributor in the secondary. As Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic writes, Thomas and second-round rookie Will Johnson were splitting reps at one outside corner spot, with 2024 second-rounder Max Melton getting the lion’s share of the looks on the opposite side.
With veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting set to miss the entire 2025 campaign as well, the Cardinals could look to the free agent market for reinforcements. The team’s CB room is comprised largely of young talent like Melton, Johnson, 2023 third-rounder Garrett Williams, 2024 third-rounder Elijah Jones, and fifth-round rookie Denzel Burke.
On the other hand, as Weinfuss suggested when Thomas first suffered the injury (video link), Arizona may feel it has enough depth even without Murphy-Bunting and Thomas in the mix.
OL Justin Pugh Retires
Justin Pugh‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. On Friday, the veteran offensive lineman announced his decision to retire as a member of the Giants (h/t Dan Duggan of The Athletic). 
“Not many players get to go out on their terms, and after 11 years playing in the NFL, I am officially retiring from the league,” Pugh said (via ESPN.com). “I thought I was going to do another one, but just didn’t have it in the tank. I started losing weight and started feeling good, and didn’t want to do a 12th year.”
Pugh entered the league as a Giants first-rounder. His first stint with the team lasted five years, and during that span he handled starting reps at multiple spots. After beginning at right tackle, he moved inside and split most of his time between left and right guard.
During his first trip to free agency, Pugh landed a five-year pact with the Cardinals. The Syracuse product remained a full-time starter throughout his tenure in Arizona, although in two of his five campaigns there he was limited to single-digit games due to injury. Pugh occasionally saw time elsewhere along the team’s offensive line, but for the most part his Cardinals run saw him entrenched at left guard.
Over the course of his first Giants stint, Pugh drew a number of favorable PFF reviews. He never managed a Pro Bowl nod over the course of his career, however, and his extended run as a starter along the interior did not yield strong evaluations over time. Pugh returned to New York in 2023 while the team dealt with a slew of injuries up front; he wound up starting all 12 of his appearances that year while filling in at left tackle and left guard. No repeat of that setup was deemed necessary last season.
After spending the 2024 campaign out of the league, Pugh will not attempt another comeback with the Giants or any other team. The 34-year-old racked up 134 combined regular and postseason appearances over the course of his career, starting all but three of them. Between his various Giants and Cardinals contracts, Pugh amassed over $54MM in earnings.