Jon Gaines II - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals Get Down To 53 Players

August 29th, 2023 at 7:04pm CST by Ely Allen

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.

Cardinals Sign First-Round OL Paris Johnson Jr.

May 11th, 2023 at 5:54pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cardinals have officially signed their first-round pick. The team announced that they’ve inked Paris Johnson Jr. to his rookie contract.

Arizona was reportedly in pursuit of an offensive lineman in the draft. Despite trading out of the third-overall pick, they still got their way when they selected Johnson with the sixth-overall pick.

Johnson took on a larger role at Ohio State in 2022, appearing in 13 games. The 6-6, 315-pound blocker allowed only a pair of sacks last year, and as a result of his performance, he earned a consensus All-American selection and was graded as one of Pro Football Focus’ top offensive tackle prospects in the draft.

The Cardinals were in dire need for depth along the offensive line after having allowed 44 sacks last year. This offseason, they’ve re-signed right tackle Kelvin Beachum and added veteran Elijah Wilkinson, and they’ll also welcome back veteran D.J. Humphries, who missed much of last season. As a result of the added depth, Johnson may not immediately start at LT, but his versatility shouldn’t make that much of an issue.

The Cardinals also announced that they’ve signed four other draft picks: third-round wide receiver Michael Wilson, fourth-round offensive lineman Jon Gaines II, fifth-round quarterback Clayton Tune, and fifth-round linebacker Owen Pappoe. That leaves four rookies unsigned, including second-round linebacker B.J. Ojulari.