Cardinals Cut Jasper Brinkley

The Cardinals have made a cap casualty out of Jasper Brinkley, releasing the veteran linebacker today, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Brinkley’s cap number of $2.2MM will be reduced to $200K in dead money, saving Arizona $2MM on the 2014 cap.

Brinkley, 28, spent one season with the Cardinals after starting his NFL career with the Vikings. As a full-time starter in Minnesota in 2012, Brinkley ranked among the worst inside linebackers in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In part-time action for Arizona this past season, he received better grades, particularly as a run-stopper, but he was too expensive for the Cardinals to keep around as a bench player.

As a five-year veteran, Brinkley will immediately become an unrestricted free agent without having to pass through waivers. He’ll be able to sign with another team prior to March 11.

View Comments (0)