The Cardinals made a couple of signings of Wednesday evening, inking running back Jonathan Dwyer to a one-year deal and offensive lineman Ted Larsen to a two-year deal. The team also re-signed linebacker Marcus Benard to a one-year deal. Darren Urban of azcardinals.com reported all of the signings (via Twitter).
The Cardinals add depth at running back with Dwyer after Rashard Mendenhall announced his retirement earlier this week. The 24-year-old had his best year in 2012 with the Steelers, running for 623 yards and two scores while also catching 18 balls for 106 yards. The former sixth-rounder was cut prior to the first game in 2013, but re-signed after LaRod Stephens-Howling went down with an injury. He went on to run for 197 yards on 49 carries. Dwyers reunites with Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, who was Dwyer’s offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2010-2011. Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said the Steelers had no interest in bringing Dwyer back (via Twitter).
Larsen, 26, was drafted in the sixth-round by the Patriots in 2010. He played with the team as a guard during the preseason, but was waived by the team in September. The Buccaneers claimed the rookie, who went on to play 60 games for the team over four years. Larsen has played both guard and center during his career.
After not playing during the 2012 season, Benard caught on with the Cardinals last year. He appeared in 12 games with the team, compiling 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The 28-year-old had his best season with the Browns in 2010, when he had 7.5 sacks.