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:

• C Jon Gaines II

Waived/injured:

• CB Kyler McMichael

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.