Cardinals’ First-Round DE Darius Robinson Out Multiple Weeks
The Cardinals’ defensive line depth took a hit this afternoon when it was reported that first-round defensive end Darius Robinson suffered a calf injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Robinson’s injury will require a multi-week absence. 
Armed with two first-round picks in this year’s draft, Arizona selected Robinson out of Missouri at pick No. 27 after securing wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth-overall pick. Robinson was a five-year defender for the Tigers. He provided contributions throughout his collegiate career, but it wasn’t until his redshirt senior season that he broke out. His 2023 sack (8.5) and tackle for loss (14.0) numbers surpassed the stats he had put up in the previous four years combined (4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss).
The Cardinals were hoping that Robinson’s addition would provide an upgrade to a pass rush that ranked 30th in the NFL last year with only 33 total sacks. Robinson was set to join returning starters Zaven Collins and Dante Stills on the defensive line, along with free agent additions Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones. Most of the team’s sacks came from outside linebacker, despite a base 4-3 defense, but the addition of Robinson had the potential to change that and take some pressure off of the linebackers.
Rapoport posits that Robinson’s extended absence may warrant a start to the season on injured reserve. If that’s the case, the rookie pass rusher would have the possibility to make his NFL debut as early as Week 5 of the 2024 season. In the meantime, the Cardinals could field a defensive front consisting of Collins-Nichols-Jones-Stills, with Stills shifting to end, where he spent about half his time last season.
Cardinals WR Zay Jones Handed Five-Game Suspension
A second suspension has been announced Friday afternoon. Cardinals wideout Zay Jones has been issued a five-game ban for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, as noted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
Jones was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge in November. That charge wound up being dropped in March, but the NFL typically conducts its own investigations into such situations. That proved to be the case for Jones, who will now see his Cardinals debut delayed by more than one month.
The 29-year-old has spent time with three teams so far in his career, making 104 appearances and 67 starts. Jones was with the Jaguars in 2022 and ’23, and he recorded career highs in catches (82) and yards (823) during his first campaign in Jacksonville. Last season saw a step back in production and only nine games played, though, leading to his release.
The Jaguars made a number of receiver moves this offseason, bringing in Gabe Davis in free agency and selecting Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the draft. Those additions will help offset the departure of Calvin Ridley and the decision to part ways with Jones. The latter took visits with several teams before signing with the Cardinals on a one-year, $2.25MM deal.
The former second-rounder was set to compete for a starting spot with second-year wideout Michael Wilson as the Cardinals prepare to use fourth overall selection Marvin Harrison Jr. as their WR1. Today’s news will leave Arizona – a team which lost Marquise Brown in free agency – shorthanded in the receiving corps during the fall. This ban will keep Jones sidelined for a notable stretch and no doubt hinder his market value next spring.
Arizona also has the likes of Mack Wilson, Zach Pascal and Greg Dortch on the receiver depth chart. Expectations will be high for Harrison and Wilson early in the season, but Jones’ return will provide experience to the pass-catching group. The time at which that takes place – pending a succesful appeal – will not come until October, however.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/24
Today’s mid-week minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Sage Surratt
- Waived: WR Daniel Arias
Carolina Panthers
- Waived (with injury settlement): G Nash Jensen
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: WR Freddie Swain
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Marvin Moody
- Waived (with injury designation): Brandon Bouyer-Randle
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Rachad Wildgoose
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on exempt/international list: K Alex Hale
- Reverted to IR: RB Jarveon Howard
- Waived: DE Kenneth Odumegwu
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: TE Dalton Keene
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Jaaron Hayek
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: WR Jeff Foreman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: G Matt Cindric
- Claimed off waivers (from Jets): TE Neal Johnson
- Waived (with injury designation): T Jeremy Flax, CB NaJee Thompson
New York Giants
- Reverted to IR: WR Dennis Houston
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Tyree Jackson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released (with injury settlement): CB Tyler Hall
Washington Commanders
- Reverted to IR: LB Keandre Jones, S Ben Nikkel
Interesting move up in Green Bay, where the Packers are essentially swapping out which player will qualify as the 17th member of their practice squad through the International Player Pathway program. They’ll waive the Nigerian, Odumegwu, who joined through the league’s IPP program last year, and assign the international exemption to the Australian kicker, Hale.
It’s unfortunate news for Keene, who doubled in his offensive duties as fullback at times for the Texans. Keene reportedly tore his ACL in Houston’s second preseason game last weekend, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. His placement on injured reserve today will end his 2024 season.
Cardinals Extend C Hjalte Froholdt
After going from journeyman to full-time starter last season, Hjalte Froholdt has landed an extension. The Cardinals are taking care of their starting center, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting the team has an agreement in place with the sixth-year blocker.
This contract, which Froholdt has now signed, runs through 2026. This represents a significant development for Froholdt, a 2019 fourth-round pick already on his fourth team. It is a two-year deal worth $12MM, Rapoport adds, indicating $8MM will be guaranteed.
A 2019 Patriots draftee, Froholdt bounced from New England to Houston to Cleveland during his first four NFL seasons. The Browns stop turned out to be important, as the Cardinals soon hired former Cleveland QBs coach Drew Petzing to be their offensive coordinator. Froholdt signed a two-year, $4.6MM deal with the Cardinals in 2023, and he won their starting center job soon after. Wednesday’s accord provides much better terms for the Danish lineman.
The Svendborg, Denmark, native did not start a game until his fourth season; the Browns used him as a six-game spot starter at center and right guard in 2022. He ended up parlaying that fill-in gig into a Cardinals deal, with the team hiring a new regime in 2023. Going into his age-28 season, Froholdt landed a deal in line with the center position’s middle class. The $6MM AAV places Froholdt in a tie at ninth at the position.
Pro Football Focus slotted Froholdt as the No. 19 overall center last season. After extensive seasoning as a backup prior to 2023, Froholdt started 17 games in his Cardinals debut. The team added former center starter Evan Brown in free agency, but that move was not expected to affect Froholdt’s starter status. This agreement certainly leaves no doubt the Cards will stick with Froholdt, who succeeded Rodney Hudson, at the pivot.
Arizona does not have too much money tied up in its offensive line. The team moved on from longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries, sliding 2023 first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr. to LT to replace him. The Cardinals have Will Hernandez on a two-year, $9MM deal and splurged for Jonah Williams (two years, $30MM) to man the RT spot. The rebuilding team now has signed up for an extended run with Froholdt, who is tied to the club through the 2026 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/24
Here are today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT T.J. Carter, LB Chris Garrett
- Waived: LS Joe Shimko
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Scotty Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Lawrence Keys
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: CB Sheldrick Redwine
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: LB Malik Jefferson, WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB DaRon Gilbert, S Morice Norris Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Henry Pearson
- Waived (with injury designation): RB Jarveon Howard
Houston Texans
- Signed: FB Nick Bawden
Indianapolis Colts
- Reverted to IR: G Josh Sills
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Ethan Fernea
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB E.J. Perry
- Waived: WR Brevin Easton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to IR: G McKade Mettauer
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB DaShaun White
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived (with injury settlement): CB Jerry Jacobs
Miami Dolphins
- Reverted to IR: LB Zeke Vandenburgh
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Kobe Jones, LB Christian McCarroll
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): WR Matt Landers
- Placed on IR: WR JaQuae Jackson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Joejuan Williams
- Activated from active/PUP: TE Juwan Johnson
- Waived (with injury designation): C Sincere Haynesworth
New York Giants
- Signed: S Clayton Isbell
- Reverted to IR: DT Ryder Anderson
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Dennis Houston
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Frank Darby
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Mikel Jones
- Placed on IR: LB Garret Wallow (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: S Kendell Brooks, LB Chapelle Russell
- Waived (with injury designation): S Ben Nikkel
- Released (with injury designation): LB Keandre Jones
Free Agent
- Suspended: DT Kevin Strong
Strong was a surprising release by the Cardinals during the regular season last year. At the time, Strong was coming off of his strongest NFL campaign, but head coach Jonathan Gannon claimed that the release was what was “best for the team.” While we still don’t know the nature of the suspension, or whether or not it’s even related to his January release, we are aware that he will miss three games.
Cardinals Release OL Dennis Daley
The Cardinals added Dennis Daley on a two-year deal last offseason, but after an injury-shortened campaign he will be on the move. Arizona is expected to release the veteran offensive lineman, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has since confirmed the move. 
Daley spent his first three seasons with the Panthers, logging 21 starts across 34 appearances. The 28-year-old saw time at left tackle in addition to both guard spots during that span before being traded to the Titans in 2022. That move was seen as a depth acquisition on Tennessee’s part, but Daley wound up logging a notable workload.
While filling in for the injured Taylor Lewan, the former sixth-rounder made 15 starts on the blindside. That season did not result in a strong PFF evaluation, but Daley still managed to land a two-year contract in free agency from former Titans exec Monti Ossenfort in his first offseason as GM of the Cardinals. He survived roster cuts upon arrival in Arizona, but he was placed on IR to begin the campaign. Once healthy, the South Carolina product made three appearances and one start for the Cardinals.
Arizona moved on from D.J. Humphries this offseason, one in which Jonah Williams was added on the open market. The latter will man the right tackle spot, allowing 2023 sixth overall pick Paris Johnson Jr. to move to the blindside. Daley could have served as a backup option at both spots, and his guard experience could have helped him land a roster spot with a depth role in mind.
Instead, he will hit free agency deep into the summer. Daley may manage to catch on with a new team relatively quickly given his experience, but he will likely need to wait until roster cutdowns at the end of the month to draw interest as teams sort out their offensive line depth. This release will create $1.6MM in cap space while incurring a dead cap charge of $175K.
QB Colt McCoy Retires
Colt McCoy is set to transition from playing to broadcasting. The veteran quarterback informed NFL Network’s Peter Schrager on Monday that he is retiring and has since announced the move. McCoy has a “high profile” position in his new line of work lined up, Schrager adds. NBC has since announced the longtime QB2 will be part of their Big Ten coverage in 2024. 
McCoy entered the league as a Browns third-rounder in 2010. He started each of his first 21 games with the team before making three appearances off the bench in 2012. The end of McCoy’s Cleveland tenure was followed by a single season in San Francisco and then a five-year run in the nation’s capital. The latter stretch consisted of seven starts and 12 total appearances.
The Texas alum spent the 2020 campaign with the Giants and made a pair of starts that year. His most recent action came with the Cardinals. Signing in Arizona in 2021, he made three starts and eight appearances. The following year, McCoy made three starts in the wake of Kyler Murray‘s ACL tear; he was positioned to handle starting duties while Murray continued to recover during the summer. Poor showings in training camp led to McCoy’s release, however, and the trade acquisition of Josh Dobbs.
Left on the open market following roster cutdowns last summer, McCoy found himself on the radar of the Patriots as they sorted out their QB depth chart. The Jets also made an inquiry after Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear, but no deal came about. Before Kirk Cousins was sidelined by the same ailment, the Vikings hosted McCoy on a workout. He ultimately sat out what would have been a 14th season in the league before officially making the decision to hang up his cleats.
Now 37, McCoy exits the game a veteran of 56 games and 36 starts. Even after seeing many of his multi-year deals be reworked or terminated over the course of his career, he accumulated nearly $28MM in career earnings. McCoy’s attention will now turn to broadcasting as he begins the next phase of his career.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Daylen Baldwin, RB Hassan Hall
- Released (with injury settlement): WR Jeff Smith
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on PUP: RB Robert Burns
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB John Kelly
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB Quincy Roche
Buffalo Bills
- Waived-injured: WR Bryan Thompson
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR (with injury settlements): OT J.D. DiRenzo, TE Curtis Hodges
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: LB Alec Mock
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Essang Bassey
- Waived-injured: LB DaRon Gilbert
- Reverted to IR: WR Antoine Green
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Chris Russell
- Released from IR (with injury settlement): CB Don Callis
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Savion Jackson, LB Shaq Quarterman
- Waived: TE Ben Mason, CB Chris Wilcox
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- Waived-injured: LB Jabril Cox
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Kaleb Ford-Dement
- Waived: RB Zander Horvath
- Released from IR (with injury settlement): WR Jermaine Jackson
New York Jets
- Released from IR (with injury settlement): WR Hamze El-Zayat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived-injured: WR Tarik Black
Seattle Seahawks
- Released from IR (with injury settlement): NT Matthew Gotel
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/24
Friday’s minor transactions to close out the week:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: OLB Marquis Haynes
Carolina Panthers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Daewood Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Waived (with injury settlement): WR Rory Starkey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived (with injury settlement): TE Josh Pederson
New York Giants
- Waived (with injury settlement): RB Jashaun Corbin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): C Pat Elflein
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived (with injury designation): NT Matthew Gotel
Haynes quick exit after a short stint in Arizona comes after he signed a contract including an injury waiver. He spent time on injured reserve with the Panthers last season, precipitating the presence of the injury waiver in his latest deal. The team utilized the waiver to terminate his contract today.
Cardinals Host Carl Lawson
Carl Lawson continues to draw interest around the league. The veteran edge rusher recently visited the Cardinals, per ESPN’s Field Yates. 
[RELATED: Cardinals Extend Zaven Collins]
Lawson lined up a visit with the Dolphins in April, but that did not produce a deal. Remaining on the market deep into the offseason, the 29-year-old has also met with the Panthers and Cowboys. He now has the chance to join the Cardinals, a team looking for depth options along the edge as the regular season nears.
Arizona signed Marquis Haynes on Tuesday, and he will provide the team with a veteran presence over at least the coming weeks. That move came in the wake of BJ Ojulari being lost for the season. The 2023 second-rounder suffered an ACL tear, sidelining him until the start of next year at the earliest. Lawson could help further fill the void created by Ojulari’s injury.
The Auburn alum established himself as a full-time starter during his time with the Bengals (2017-20). Lawson’s production earned him a three-year, $45MM deal with the Jets in free agency, but an Achilles tear delayed his debut campaign with the team by one year. The former fourth-rounder served in a first-team role in 2022, totaling seven sacks and 26 QB pressures. Last year, though, he fell out of favor and played only six games.
The Cardinals currently have more than $33MM in cap space, so another signing at the edge spot would not be a problem. Lawson’s poor showing in 2023 would also keep his price down, although three unsuccessful visits (and counting) demonstrate the hesitancy shown on the part of several teams to commit to a deal. It will be interesting to see if Arizona bucks that trend or moves on to other options options at the position.