There’s a bit of uncertainty on the Cardinals offensive line, so the team has decided to bring in some additional depth. The team announced today that they’ve signed Branden Bowen.
The Ohio State product showed versatility during his collegiate career, playing both offensive guard and offensive tackle. However, he also dealt with a broken fibula (and three subsequent surgeries) that forced him to miss half of the 2017 campaign and all of the 2018 season. He managed to return to the lineup in 2019, and he was picked up by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent last summer. He was ultimately cut by the team at the end of camp.
With an actual preseason and more years removed from his injury, Bowen may have an opportunity to stick around Arizona. Right tackle Kelvin Beachum could leave via free agency, leaving the organization with 2020 opt-out Marcus Gilbert and 2020 third-rounder Josh Jones as their only fallback options. Guards Max Garcia and J.R. Sweezy are also set to hit free agency, meaning Bowen could have options to compete at multiple spots.
As Darren Urban of the team website points out, this signing gives the Cardinals 56 players on their 90-man offseason roster.