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Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

NFL Injury Updates: Burrow, Richardson, Barkley, Thomas

September 17th, 2023 at 8:23pm CST by Ely Allen

Bengals fans have been plenty frustrated with the team’s return on investment from quarterback Joe Burrow‘s record-breaking extension. Through two games, Burrow has averaged 152 yards per game while throwing two touchdowns and an interception. People were concerned about the calf injury that forced him out of practice early in training camp this summer and how it would affect him as the season began. Burrow has pointed to that injury as a big reason for some of his early struggles, according to Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network.

Morrison noted that Burrow spoke “with a level of concern” after today’s game when addressing his right calf. He claimed to have tweaked his calf in today’s loss to the Ravens. Not only did he consider it a factor today, and likely last week, but he also thought there was a chance that it could end up being a tight rope that he is forced to walk for the remainder of the season.

It’s not difficult to see that the Burrow we’ve seen so far this year has been far from what we’re used to seeing in recent years. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals move forward with the handling of Burrow’s calf. Pushing him too hard could result in an extended absence, while a short reprieve of a week or two could help him get on top of a recovery that seems to be troubling him. There’s a lot of season left to go, and the Bengals will be keeping a close eye on Burrow in the days and weeks to come.

Here are a few other updates from around the NFL:

  • Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson got off to a hot start in the second game of his NFL career, rushing for two touchdowns early in today’s divisional matchup with the Texans. Richardson had to exit the game in the first half, though, after sustaining a concussion that would hold him out for the remainder of the contest. Richardson was replaced by backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who helped secure the team’s first win of the season. Richardson will need to go through concussion protocols in order to return to the field. This season, the protocols for return take about five days to get through, meaning Richardson absolutely has a chance to return for Week 3 if he can pass the necessary tests. If not, Minshew will continue to play in relief.
  • Giants running back Saquon Barkley was injured in the final two minutes of today’s win over the Cardinals. He was obviously kept out of the remainder of the game but was visibly upset on the sideline while surrounded by trainers. They taped Barkley’s ankle, but he continued to walk with a significant limp. According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, an x-ray was performed after the game, while Barkley was still experiencing some swelling and discomfort. It has now been reported as a sprained ankle, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, meaning New York may have dodged a giant bullet, forgive the pun. While this bodes well for Barkley’s season-long prospects, the short week will not be his friend. Expect the Giants to exercise caution and, barring a miracle recovery, hold Barkley out for their Thursday night matchup against the 49ers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Barkley will undergo an MRI tomorrow in order to determine the severity of the injury and gain an idea of just how much time he may miss.
  • Joining Richardson above, Commanders tight end Logan Thomas left the team’s win over the Broncos today with a concussion that he sustained after getting clobbered over the middle by Denver safety Kareem Jackson. Jackson was ejected for the hit. Backup tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner both got significant run in Thomas’ absence and will continue to do so if he isn’t able to return next week.
  • Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (knee), Cowboys right guard Zack Martin (ankle), and Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) all sustained injuries today that kept them out of their respective games. Reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Jane Slater and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tell us that none of these injuries are considered serious.

Cardinals Place DE L.J. Collier On IR

September 16th, 2023 at 7:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

2023 presented a needed change of scenery for L.J. Collier, but his debut season with the Cardinals has been interrupted. The former first-round defense end has been placed on injured reserve, per a team announcement.

Collier is dealing with a biceps injury, and today’s moves means he will be sidelined for at least four weeks. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has not given specifics regarding the severity of the ailment, however, so he could be shut down for an even longer stretch. In any case, his bid to rebuild his value in a new setting has taken a blow, and Arizona has lost a starting member of its defense.

The 28-year-old had a highly disappointing four year run with the Seahawks, never seeing a snap share above 49% during his time with the team. He found himself a healthy scratch at times, so it came as no surprise that he departed in free agency. Likewise, few eyebrows were raised when it was learned his one-year Cardinals pact is worth the veteran minimum. Collier thus has plenty at stake this season, one in which signficant playing time should be available to him upon return.

The TCU product started in Arizona’s Week 1 loss, and he should remain a key figure in the team’s defensive front (one which lost J.J. Watt to retirement and saw Zach Allen depart in free agency this offseason). For the sake of tomorrow’s contest, at least, Eric Banks will likely be tasked with taking on a large role in the edge rush department. The latter was one of the Cardinals’ practice squad elevations for Week 2, the other being cornerback Quavian White.

To fill the open roster spot created by Collier’s injury, Arizona has signed safety Andre Chachere to the active roster. The veteran special teamer logged nine total snaps last week after being designated as one of the team’s gameday taxi squad elevations. Chachere was claimed off waivers in May from the Eagles, then stashed on the practice squad following roster cutdowns. In the meantime, Collier will turn his attention to recovery in the hopes of resuming his Cardinals campaign and helping his free agent stock come the offseason.

A.J. Green Announces Retirement

September 16th, 2023 at 4:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 16: Green’s retirement was already fairly official after his original announcement back in February, but today, it became ceremoniously official. The Bengals agreed to sign their former seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to a one-day contract in order to allow him to retire in Cincinnati.

The move makes perfect sense considering Green spent 10 years of his 12-year career in stripes. When he had originally announced he was hanging up his cleats, he had just finished a two-year stint with the Cardinals. Now, he’ll end his career just as he began it: a Bengal.

FEBRUARY 6: Not long after making it clear he was contemplating hanging up his cleats, A.J. Green has decided to end his career. The wideout announced on Monday (via Instagram) that he is retiring from the NFL.

Green, 34, spent the past two seasons in Arizona as part of a veteran-laden Cardinals team. He played a considerable role in the team’s 2021 success, securing 54 catches and 848 yards. That earned him a one-year deal this past offseason, though he put up far less noteworthy numbers across 15 games played. In January, it came as little surprise when he hinted that 2022 would be his final season in the pros.

Green’s stint in the desert was preceded, of course, by a highly-acclaimed one with the Bengals. The fourth overall pick in 2011, he played nine seasons in Cincinnati, highlighting the Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis era which saw him earn plenty of individual accolades and lead the team to consistent regular season success.

The Georgia product enjoyed immediate success in the NFL, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie. He would repeat that feat in each of the next four seasons, and once more in 2017. The latter campaign was the seventh consecutive in which he was named a Pro Bowler. In 2012 and 2013, Green also earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as one of the league’s most accomplished wideouts.

During his career, the 6-4, 207-pounder established himself as a premier receiver in terms of possession (receiving 100 or more targets eight times) and scoring ability (registering 70 touchdowns, including double-digit majors in three seasons). He was not limited in terms of usage, however, as his 14.5 yards per reception average indicates. His impressive career totals are slightly more noteworthy given the fact that he missed the entire 2019 season due to an ankle injury.

Despite his time spent on the sidelines, Green finishes his career with 10,514 receiving yards. That ranks 44th all time in NFL history, and fourth among active players. He sits second on the Bengals’ franchise list, behind only Chad Johnson. One of the top receivers of his generation, Green is hanging up his cleats with no regrets.

“I’ve never been a man of many words, so I’ll keep this short,” his Instagram post reads. Thank you. Thank you to all who have supported, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my career. Special thank you to the University of Georgia, Cincinnati Bengals, and Arizona Cardinals for the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I’ve stayed true to the game and it owes me nothing. Be blessed… The next chapter begins.”

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/13/23

September 13th, 2023 at 9:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s taxi squad moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons 

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: WR Michael Strachan

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

  • Signed: QB Ian Book, DB William Hooper

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Staff Rumors: Commanders, Packers, Colts, Cardinals, Rams

September 10th, 2023 at 9:54pm CST by Ely Allen

The Commanders had the biggest offseason front office staff change of any other franchise as Josh Harris became the new team owner in Washington. There are plenty of issues that need to be addressed throughout the organization, and surely, Harris will be getting to all of them, eventually. Early this morning, though, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports gave some insight into what may be a top priority for the new executive.

While recent rumors surfaced claiming that another change to the team’s name was imminent, Jones reports that, for now, they will remain the Commanders, as a name change “isn’t being seriously considered at this time.” While getting back to a winning culture and reconnecting with the community are certainly among the top priorities, the biggest issue is reportedly finding a new stadium to play in.

The team recently hired Thad Sheely as a consultant in the endeavor. Sheely was instrumental “in the development of MetLife Stadium more than a decade ago.” With FedEx Field routinely being considered one of the league’s worst facilities, the brass has been working with local governments in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to discuss potential sites or public funding.

The organization would ideally like to have a site selected by the end of 2024, while the construction of a stadium that can “host major events like a Final Four and Super Bowl would take about four years” more. The team’s current lease at FedEx Field is active through 2026.

Here are some other recent staff updates from around the NFL:

  • The Packers announced the addition of Maureen Smith as the team’s new chief financial officer last month. Smith comes to the NFL from the MLS, where she most recently served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Minnesota United FC. Beginning her career as a CPA in public accounting, Smith now has “more than 20 years of diverse experience across the sports, healthcare, consulting, and finance industries.
  • The Colts made an effort at the end of August to replace the analytics value lost in John Park‘s departure for Dallas and George Li‘s departure for Carolina. Indianapolis hired Greg Starek as their new director of football analytics, according to Nate Atkins of the Indy Star. Starek joined the 49ers last year as a senior performance analyst after a career as a data scientist for the San Francisco Giants of the MLB. He’ll continue to carve out his space in the NFL in Indy.
  • The Cardinals brought in a new executive to focus on the business side of the team last month. According to Cardinals director of editorial content and senior writer Darren Urban, Jeremy Walls is that new executive, serving as the team’s new chief operating officer. Walls most recently spent the last several years in Miami with the Dolphins.
  • The Rams experienced a departure in their staff near the end of last month, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Former director of football affairs Jacques McClendon has left the team to join the WME Sports agency. McClendon will now be an agent working in the agency’s coaches and executives division.

Cardinals HC: As Long As I’m Here, Kyler Murray Can Be Here

September 10th, 2023 at 9:21am CST by Rory Parks

Back in February, newly-hired Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said he would not have taken the job if not for the presence of quarterback Kyler Murray, and he discussed his plans to maximize Murray’s talents. Murray, who was one of the players consulted in Arizona’s HC search, has likewise spoken highly of Gannon.

Of course, the diminutive signal-caller will begin the season on the PUP list as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered towards the end of the 2022 season. And the Cardinals, who have one of the league’s weakest rosters and who are clearly in a rebuild, could end up with two top-10 (or even top-five) picks in the 2024 draft, putting them in prime position to land an elite collegiate quarterback like USC’s Caleb Williams.

That reality has led to considerable speculation that Arizona could seek to move on from Murray — who is slated to carry a $51.86MM cap figure in 2024 — next offseason. Indeed, as Zak Keefer of The Athletic (subscription required) notes, the club would be saddled with a relatively modest $13MM dead money charge if it were to trade Murray with a post-June 1 designation next year.

However, Gannon is, as expected, shooting down any such chatter. “I’m completely convicted,” the rookie HC said. “As long as I’m here, [Murray] can be here.”

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears that the Cardinals are pleased with Murray’s work ethic and study habits, as well as the strides he has made in his injury rehab. The two-time Pro Bowler could return to the field by the end of October, which would afford him roughly a half-season in new OC Drew Petzing‘s scheme.

“He loves ball, he loves ball,” Gannon said of Murray. “That was the other thing, the narrative on him — completely wrong. Completely wrong. Everything I’ve asked him to do, he’s done, more so. Have I challenged some of his actions that I didn’t love? Yes, and I’ve talked to him about it.”

It would obviously be ideal for Arizona if Murray can return to his pre-2022 form. A rebuilding team needs a franchise passer, and no matter how good of a propsect Williams or UNC’s Drake Maye might be, the Cards would much rather eschew spending a top-10 selection on a QB for the third time in seven years and to instead use their high-end draft capital — in addition to their own first-round pick, they also own the 2024 first-round choice of the Texans, another rebuilding outfit — to add premium talent to other areas of the roster.

Plus, rival executives tell Jeff Howe of The Athletic (subscription required) that Murray’s contract might not actually be tradeable. Even if Arizona’s own dead money burden would be manageable, an acquiring team would still be on the hook for the QB’s $37MM base salary in 2024 absent any pay-down on the part of the Cardinals.

Much can change between Week 1 and Week 18. But for now, the plan is to keep Murray in the desert for the forseeable future.

2023 Offseason In Review Series

September 9th, 2023 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Quarterback acquisitions generated top headlines this offseason, while the slew of developments affecting the running back market moved that position’s value to a precarious point. On that note, our latest Offseason In Review series is in the books. Here are the PFR staff’s looks at how teams assembled their 2023 rosters:

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/23

September 9th, 2023 at 6:47pm CST by Ely Allen

We have our first flood of pregame transactions of the season today as teams across the league with games tomorrow utilize their two permitted practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Promoted from practice squad: LB Brevin Allen

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

  • Promoted from practice squad: RB Myles Gaskin, OLB Benton Whitley

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

DeAndre Hopkins Discusses Free Agency, Contract Demands, Signing With Titans

September 7th, 2023 at 9:01pm CST by Ben Levine

When DeAndre Hopkins was cut by the Cardinals, a number of suitors were expected to emerge. Instead, the veteran wideout only drew serious interest from the Titans and Patriots, with Hopkins ultimately signing a two-year, $26MM with Tennessee.

[RELATED: Titans Sign DeAndre Hopkins]

In a conversation with Clay Skipper of GQ, Hopkins acknowledged that his free agent market didn’t shake out as expected, with the receiver admitting that “there were some teams that I had on my list that I gave them calls and they didn’t give a call back.” What specific teams spurned the veteran?

“Detroit Lions, they didn’t want me,” Hopkins said. “Dallas Cowboys didn’t want me. Giants didn’t want me. S***. Who else ain’t want me? San Fran ain’t want me.”

Besides the Titans and Patriots, the only teams that were definitively connected to Hopkins were the Bills and Chiefs, although it sounds like interest dropped from those potential suitors once they learned of the receiver’s asking price. Still, Hopkins told Skipper that both Buffalo and Kansas City did call when he hit free agency.

The Lions, Cowboys, Giants, and 49ers also may have been wary of the player’s financial demands, but Hopkins hinted that those organization may have passed him over because of his age. Still, the receiver did acknowledge that money partly played a role in him landing in Tennessee.

“You have to know your value and have some level of respect for who you are as a human being,” he says. “Is the possibility of you going somewhere who is a Super Bowl-caliber team, on paper, is that worth you being paid minimum? It doesn’t add up.”

The Cowboys and 49ers have deep receiver crews, so it’s not a huge surprise that those squads didn’t give a long look at Hopkins. The Lions could use a wideout behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, while the Giants don’t have a clear WR1 atop their depth chart.

Ultimately, Hopkins landed in Tennessee, where he’ll join a depth chart highlighted by 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks. Hopkins gave several reasons why he landed with the Titans, including head coach Mike Vrabel. However, the wideout revealed that one of his main reasons for signing with the organization had to do with the culture.

“I wouldn’t say it’s because of Arizona, the reason I came here, to have that 360 switch, but I would say it was definitely part of my decision to be somewhere that did have a winning culture, or a fighting culture,” Hopkins said.

Josh Dobbs Expected To Start For Cardinals In Week 1

September 6th, 2023 at 1:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals’ quarterback situation to start the season appears to be in place. Trade acquisition Josh Dobbs is expected to start in Week 1, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Arizona appeared to name Dobbs the starter in its information packets sent to the NFL ahead of the team’s season opener against the Commanders. As Howard Balzer of PHNX.com notes, the 28-year-old is listed as being set to make his debut in the desert, whereas such a scenario is listed as a hypothetical for rookie Clayton Tune. Today’s report thus comes as no surprise.

Arizona made the noteworthy move of acquiring Dobbs from the Browns not long before roster cutdowns and mere hours after Cleveland named him Deshaun Watson‘s backup. The Browns moved quickly in sending Dobbs to Arizona, and in doing so putting him position to take on first-team duties right away. The Cardinals then released Colt McCoy, who had been the presumed Week 1 starter to fill in for the injured Kyler Murray.

The latter is on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four weeks of the campaign. The role of starter will thus be handed on a game-by-game basis, Rapoport notes. Dobbs has spent considerably more time in the NFL compared to Tune, having been drafted in 2017. He has only made eight appearances during that time, though, including two late-season starts in 2022 for the Titans. As was the case in Tennessee, Dobbs will now quickly acclimate himself to a new offensive system before seeing immediate playing time.

Helping him in that regard is the fact that Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing previously served as quarterbacks coach in Cleveland, giving him a working relationship with Dobbs. The latter will look to make a good first impression with his new team, one of which very little is expected (with or without Murray available) in 2023. Keeping Dobbs in the starter’s role would nevertheless allow Tune, a fifth-rounder who threw a combined 70 touchdown passes during his final two years at Houston, to develop from the sidelines.

Strong play from Dobbs would also, of course, give him an opportunity to find a long-term opportunity either in Arizona or elsewhere in the future. He has bounced around the NFL during his career, but the latest chance to find stability will begin on Sunday with the Cardinals.

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