Cardinals Get Down To 53 Players
The source of some strange, unpredicted preseason trades in the past few weeks, the Cardinals have been busy trying to figure out the 53-man roster they’ll open the season with. While some of their biggest cuts came in the days leading up to the deadline and the team is likely to continue making adjustments leading up to opening day, here are the cuts made to officially set team’s initial 53-man roster:
Waived:
- LB David Anenih
- WR Andre Baccellia
- DL Eric Banks
- OL Jackson Barton
- S Kendell Brooks
- OL Cole Cabral
- S Andre Chachere
- WR Brian Cobbs
- WR Kaden Davis
- TE Joel Honigford
- OL Hayden Howerton
- S JuJu Hughes
- OL Braylon Jones
- DL Rashard Lawrence
- LB Zach McCloud
- CB Bobby Price
- RB Stevie Scott
- TE Bernhard Seikovits
- DL Jacob Slade
- WR Brandon Smith
- OL Lecitus Smith
- LB Kyle Soelle
- TE Noah Togiai
- OL Badara Traore
- CB Quavian White
- RB Ty’Son Williams
Released:
- QB David Blough
- LS Aaron Brewer
- RB Corey Clement
- WR Davion Davis
- QB Jeff Driskel
Placed on IR:
Waived/injured:
Veteran running back Clement and former Ravens standout Williams both fell victim to a resurgent Keaontay Ingram, who surpassed them both on the depth chart after getting healthy. That means a roster spot for undrafted rookie Emari Demercado, who will get to reap the unfortunate benefit of Marlon Mack‘s season-ending injury. He’s joined by undrafted wide receiver Daniel Arias and tight end Blake Whiteheart.
The release of the long-time Cardinals long snapper, Brewer, comes as a bit of a surprise as the only other long snapper on the roster, undrafted rookie Matt Hembrough, is currently on injured reserve. They’ll likely target a free agent who is left available after cut day.
Quarterback Kyler Murray was not moved from the physically unable to perform list, nor was cornerback Garrett Williams moved from the non-football injury list. Both will attempt to make returns shortly after the start of the season. Rookie backup center Gaines’ first NFL season is unfortunately over before it could begin after sustaining a knee injury in the team’s preseason finale.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/18/23
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Brian Cobbs
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OL Jaylon Thomas
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: OLB Brock Martin
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Justus Tavai
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: T Dylan Cook
Thomas earned starts at all five positions along SMU’s offensive line. As is the norm with the current class of UDFAs entering the league, Thomas used the extra year of eligibility — granted by the NCAA during the COVID-19 pandemic — and played five seasons for the Mustangs, making starts in each.
The Buccaneers waived Cook earlier this week, doing so after giving him a reserve/futures contract in January. The Raiders are dropping Martin not long after making him part of their 10-man UDFA contingent. A transfer from Maryland, Cobbs caught 76 passes for 923 yards and five touchdowns during his year at Utah State.