Cardinals Audition CB Deandre Baker, LB Jeremiah Attaochu
Not long after Deandre Baker‘s Chiefs exit, the Cardinals brought him in for an audition. Both Baker and edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu worked out for the Cards on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
The Cardinals have a need at cornerback, and following Jeff Gladney‘s fatal car accident in May, Kliff Kingsbury said corner additions were on the radar. But the team has largely stood pat since Gladney’s tragic death.
Baker has not come especially close to justifying the Giants’ first-round investment. He lasted just one year in New York, with an armed robbery arrest leading to his quick Big Apple exit. Shortly after those charges were dropped, the Chiefs signed the 2019 Round 1 pick. But Baker did not carve out a steady role in Kansas City, playing just 256 defensive snaps in two seasons with the AFC West kingpins.
Attaochu, 29, has enjoyed a longer run of rotational work. The 2014 Chargers second-round pick spent the 2021 season with the Bears. While he did not tally any sacks in his Chicago season, he registered five in his second Broncos slate a year prior. The Bears released Attaochu in June.
Arizona let Chandler Jones walk in free agency, leading the two-time All-Pro to Las Vegas. The team did add two edge rushers in Round 3 — Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders — but did not replace Jones with a veteran. The team still has Markus Golden, Devon Kennard and Dennis Gardeck, however.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Cortez Davis
- Released: CB Nate Brooks
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: DL Bryce Rodgers
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- Waived: LB Silas Kelly
Indianapolis Colts
- Released via injury settlement: WR John Hurst
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB EJ Perry
- Waived: QB Kyle Sloter
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from PUP list: CB Rashad Fenton
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from PUP list: DE Marcus Davenport (story)
- Signed: DE T.J. Carter
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson and CB Dylan Mabin
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Chris Glaser
- Released: DE Hamilcar Rashed and OL Parker Ferguson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: DE T.D. Moultry
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Elijah Benton and S Adrian Colbert
- Waived: CB Kenneth George
- Waived (injury designation): S Michael Griffin
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Matt Cole
Perry’s interesting post-draft NFL journey continues. Initially slated to join the Eagles as a UDFA, he ended up signing with the Jaguars days later. Then, in July, he was waived (with an injury designation) to make room for Sloter’s addition. Perry has obviously recovered, as the two have now swapped placed once more.
Fenton was one of four Chiefs placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp. That came as little surprise at the time, but his return to practice will be a welcomed sight in Kansas City’s secondary. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that Fenton’s preseason availability remains a question mark, but that he is still expected to be fully recovered in time for the regular season.
Jackson was a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft at a position which has been in flux throughout the offseason in New Orleans. The 24-year-old had a highly productive final season in particular at Appalachian State, posting 119 tackles, 20 TFLs and six sacks. He will now have to wait until 2023 to carve out a depth role in the middle of the Saints’ defense.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Marcell Ateman
- Released: OL Eric Smith
- Activated from PUP: TE Maxx Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tae Hayes
- Waived: LS Thomas Fletcher
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on PUP: LB Anthony Barr
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Darrius Shepherd
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Austin Trammell
- Waived/injured: TE Kyle Markway
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): DB Nate Meadors
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated off NFI: S Minkah Fitzpatrick
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: TE Jordan Matthews (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB De’Vante Bausby
- Waived (injury designation): LB Drew White
Marquise Brown Arrested For Speeding
- Activated off the non-football injury list Tuesday, Marquise Brown found himself in off-field trouble several hours later. The recently acquired Cardinals wide receiver was arrested on a criminal speeding charge and booked in the Maricopa County Jail. The arrest occurred at 7:05am Wednesday in north Phoenix, according to Jose Romero of the Arizona Republic. Brown was traveling from his home to the Cards’ facility, per Kliff Kingsbury. Brown, acquired in a draft-weekend deal that saw the Cardinals’ first-round pick change hands, faces a potential suspension under the personal conduct policy purview.
- D.J. Humphries‘ Cardinals extension is for three years and $51.8MM, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger tweets. This deal comes with a $17MM signing bonus, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Humphries’ 2022 cap number will also drop from $19.9MM to $12.6MM, creating some additional space for the Cards. Humphries’ extension is worth a bit more than his previous contract (three years, $44.3MM), but it comes in eighth among left tackles for AAV.
Cardinals Host WR Willie Snead
Veteran receiver Willie Snead is auditioning for the second time this week. He is visiting the Cardinals for a workout, reports Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. 
Wilson adds that Antoine Wesley injured himself in practice, and is likely to be sidelined for one to two weeks. That would (temporarily) add another opening for a wideout in Arizona, a team whose receiving corps has seen some significant changes this offseason. The Cardinals will be without DeAndre Hopkins for the first six games of the season, putting added pressure on trade acquisition Marquise Brown to operate as the team’s top wideout in his absence.
[RELATED: Examining Snead’s Free Agent Stock]
Snead, 29, is coming off of the worst statistical season of his career. Splitting time between the Raiders and Panthers, he managed just four total receptions. Before that, he had three-year stints in New Orleans and Baltimore, in which he established himself as a dependable slot receiver. A deal with the Cardinals would put him in competition for inside snaps and targets with 2021 second-rounder Rondale Moore, and, to an extent, tight ends Zach Ertz and Trey McBride.
Snead was one of two receivers who worked out with the Texans on Tuesday. That led to a deal for Chester Rogers, but left Snead on the lookout for a new home. In Arizona, he would join a crowded pass-catching corps, which would hinder his ability to reach his stated goal of reclaiming a starting role at his next destination. With a limited number of suitors remaining on the veteran market, though, Arizona’s offense could nevertheless represent a suitable location for him to rebuild his value.
Cardinals Extend LT D.J. Humphries
After extending quarterback Kyler Murray last month, the Cardinals have now locked up his left tackle. According to Darren Urban of the team’s website, offensive tackle D.J. Humphries has agreed to a contract extension. The lineman inked a new three-year deal that will keep him in Arizona through the 2025 season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the extension is worth $66.8MM, including $34MM guaranteed.
Humphries was set to hit free agency following the season. The lineman signed a three-year, $45MM deal back in 2020, and he was attached to a $19.3MM cap hit for the 2022 campaign. Per Urban, there’s a good chance the player’s new contract will reduce that cap hit for the upcoming season.
The Cardinals selected Humphries in the first round of the 2015 draft. He’s started each of his 75 games since entering the NFL, and he made his playoff debut this past season. After being inactive for every game of his rookie season, the lineman proceeded to miss 21 games between the 2016 and 2018 seasons. However, over the past three years, Humphries has only missed a single game (last season due to COVID).
The 28-year-old earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021 after starting each of his 16 games. He’s yet to practice during training camp thanks to “a gastrointestinal issue,” leading to the team adding offensive lineman Rashaad Coward earlier today.
As Urban writes, there’s plenty of uncertainty surround the future of the Cardinals offensive line, so it was especially important for GM Steve Keim to extend his LT. Even with Humphries extended, the front office still has to account for the expiring contracts of Justin Pugh, Will Hernandez, and Kelvin Beachum. Plus, as Urban notes, Rodney Hudson could consider retirement when the season is over.
Cardinals Activate WR Marquise Brown
Hollywood made his debut at Cardinals training camp today. The team announced that they activated wide receiver Marquise Brown from the non-football injury list this morning. The Cardinals also signed offensive lineman Rashaad Coward and cut wide receiver Christian Blake.
[RELATED:Extension Candidate: Marquise Brown]
The offseason acquisition injured his hamstring in the middle of July, and he landed on NFI as training camp opened. Coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters that Brown won’t be a full participant right away. He’ll participate in walk-throughs over the next few days, with the hope that he’ll be able to take part in individual drills by the end of the week and be a full participant next week.
“That’s our timetable,” Kingsbury said (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss). “We want him to get the walk-throughs, get those mental reps so he feels comfortable when he’s out there.”
The Cardinals acquired Brown earlier this offseason from the Ravens, teaming him up with his college quarterback, Kyler Murray. With DeAndre Hopkins suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season, Brown will be counted on to lead a receivers room that also includes A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Andy Isabella, and Antoine Wesley.
Brown’s activation from NFI ultimately cost Blake his job. The wideout spent the first four seasons of his career in Atlanta before joining the Cardinals this offseason. In 41 games (three starts), Blake hauled in 28 receptions for 257 yards. He also collected eight special teams tackles.
Meanwhile, Coward was brought in to provide some depth. D.J. Humphries continues to be sidelined by “a gastrointestinal issue” (per the team website), so Coward will provide the coaching staff with an experienced option. The 27-year-old has started 15 of his 34 career games in stints with the Bears and Steelers.
Cardinals Host DE Takk McKinley
Takk McKinley has now made two visits since the start of training camp. After trekking to Dallas, the former first-round pick ventured to Arizona for a Cardinals meeting, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. The Arizona summit commenced Tuesday.
After four seasons in Atlanta, McKinley spent the 2021 campaign in Cleveland. He finished with 2.5 sacks with the Browns, going to northeast Ohio after a complex 2020 season that involved a few waiver claims — stemming from multiple failed physicals.
But the end of McKinley’s Browns season led to a delayed 2022 timetable. McKinley, 26, suffered a torn Achilles late last season. His multiple visits suggest a return to full strength is near. That said, McKinley’s stock has dipped since the Falcons chose him 26th overall back in 2017. Atlanta waived the UCLA product in 2020, doing so after he finished with just 4.5 sacks in his final 18 games with the franchise. Over his first two seasons, however, McKinley combined for 13 sacks.
Presently, McKinley profiles as a rotational rusher. The Cardinals let Chandler Jones walk, but they added third-round edges Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas. They also return Markus Golden to a pass rush that seemingly needs J.J. Watt to stay healthy, or close to it, more so than it did in 2021.
Latest On Cards' Issues With Kyler Murray
- Murray is no longer contractually obligated to complete a certain number of film-watching hours this season, but the Cards’ issues with their recently extended quarterback’s commitment have surfaced. His off-and-on offseason participation is something the team has certainly noticed, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer, who adds questions about the former No. 1 overall pick’s leadership have lingered as well. The Chris Mortensen Super Bowl Sunday report about acrimony between Murray and the Cardinals — one that labeled the 2018 Heisman winner as a “self-centered, immature finger-pointer” — drove Murray’s camp to demand an extension this offseason. As evidenced by the since-scrapped clause, the Cards do want their franchise QB to commit more to the mental side of the game, per Breer. How the team went about ensuring that will remain one of the more notable matters in modern contract history.
The Cardinals and Seahawks respectively announced Kyler Murray and Pete Carroll tested positive for COVID-19. While coronavirus protocols are absent to start training camp, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com notes the league in June informed teams anyone who tests positive must isolate for five days (Twitter link). Carroll, 70, is experiencing mild symptoms, according to the Seahawks, who add he will continue to participate in meetings virtually. As for Murray, he will not be required to be moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list. After two years of use, the NFL did away with the virus list this offseason. Murray will remain on the roster but away from the team.
Latest On DeAndre Hopkins’ PED Suspension
In an offseason filled with headlines at the receiver position in particular, one newsworthy item of a different nature was the six-game suspension handed down to DeAndre Hopkins. The cause of the ban – a prohibited substance being found in his bloodstream – remains a talking point for multiple reasons. 
Hopkins was suspended for having Ostarine in his system. It was originally reported, however, he had also tested positive for a diuretic or masking agent. A statement from the NFLPA refutes that allegation, though. It reads in part: “Hopkins never tested positive for any diuretic or masking agent and there was absolutely no evidence of any attempt to substitute, dilute or adulterate any specimen or any attempt to manipulate a test” (Twitter link via Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson).
Hopkins – who at one point considered appealing his suspension in large part due to the fact that a fraction over 0.1% of the substance was found, and maintains that he is unsure how it entered his body – is using his situation as a means to speak out against the NFL’s PED policy writ large. “I’ve never taken any of that kind of stuff,” he said, via ArizonaSports’ Alex Weiner. “If you know about what it is, it can be in shampoo, it can be in a lot of different things. Obviously the NFL is very black and white, so of course, I wish the rule wasn’t so black and white. It is what it is.
“It’s hard to know what you can eat, what you can do when you’re not in control of manufacturing anything or what goes through a conveyor belt… So, obviously, I do think that rules should change. But like I said, that stuff, it’ll work itself out, and I’ve never taken anything. I barely take vitamins.”
The 30-year-old is also rehabbing from an MCL injury which cut his 2021 campaign short. He is expected to recover in time to take the field after his ban ends, but at least until then, his absence and the circumstances surrounding it are likely to remain contentious.