The Cardinals are releasing cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, according to a source that spoke with Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Dennard’s stint in Arizona lasted less than three months, after the Cards claimed him off waivers from the Patriots in early May.
Dennard, 25, was limited to just six games in 2014, having been plagued by shoulder and hamstring issues. He also saw his role in New England reduced with the arrivals of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, and played in just 241 regular season snaps before landing on injured reserve. While the sample size was small, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) also graded him as the Pats’ least effective coverage corner — he allowed QBs to complete 68.2% of their passes and accumulate a 111.2 passer rating on throws into his coverage.
Due to an escalator in his rookie contract, Dennard had been set to earn a base salary of $1.542MM this season after making the minimum for his first three years, so his release by the Pats doesn’t come as a total surprise. However, that salary is non-guaranteed, so if he clears waivers after being cut by the Cards this time, a team should be able to take a flier on him at a lesser price.