10:42am: The Cardinals have officially announced the signing of Bishop, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com details.
10:05am: The Cardinals have reached an agreement to sign veteran linebacker Desmond Bishop, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but it will likely be a one-year, minimum salary pact with no guarantees for the former Packer and Viking.
Bishop, 30, spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay, emerging as one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, a ruptured hamstring cost him the 2012 season, paving the way for his departure to the Vikings. After appearing in four contests for Minnesota last season, Bishop suffered another season-ending injury, tearing his ACL.
Although that ACL injury occurred about 10 months ago, Bishop’s deal with the Cardinals seems to suggest the team believes he’s healthy enough to compete for a roster spot. Arizona is seeking linebacker depth after losing Karlos Dansby in free agency and losing Daryl Washington to a year-long suspension.
The Cardinals won’t have to waive anyone to make room for Bishop, since the team already had three openings on its roster.