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Kerwynn Williams

Cardinals Re-Sign Kerwynn Williams

October 11th, 2016 at 2:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are re-signing running back Kerwynn Williams, as Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. The Cardinals won’t have to cut anyone since they had an open spot after waiving quarterback Zac Dysert. Kerwynn Williams (vertical)

Williams has been yo-yo’d on and off of the Cardinals’ roster this season, so it’s possible that this stint will be short-lived. For now, Williams will serve as Arizona’s No. 4 running back behind David Johnson, Andre Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor. Over parts of three seasons, Williams has totaled 80 rushes for 388 yards and one touchdown.

After topping the Cardinals on Thursday, the 2-3 Cardinals will face the Jets at home on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Cut RB Kerwynn Williams

October 6th, 2016 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have released running back Kerwynn Williams, as Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com tweets. In his place, the team has promoted tight end Hakeem Valles from the practice squad. Kerwynn Williams (Vertical)

Williams was signed earlier this week after running back Chris Johnson was placed on IR. However, the reunion was short lived. With Williams out of the picture, the Cardinals now have one-time starter Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor behind David Johnson.

Valles, soon-to-be 24, came to the Cardinals this year as an undrafted free agent out of Monmouth. The 6’5″, 260 pound athlete was among the team’s final cuts before the 53-man deadline but quickly agreed to join Arizona’s practice squad.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Place RB Chris Johnson On IR

October 4th, 2016 at 1:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are placing running back Chris Johnson on IR with a groin injury, according to a team announcement. Safety Tyvon Branch is also headed to the IR with the same injury. Chris Johnson

In theory, both players could be eligible to return on December 4th for the Cards’ home contest against the Redskins. However, that will depend on the condition of each player and the team will also have to prioritize them against other candidates to return from IR. Each team can have a player return to action after eight weeks, but they can do only do so with one player.

Johnson had 95 yards and one touchdown off of 28 carries this season as he played the backup role behind David Johnson. Andre Ellington, who was once supposed to be the main guy in Arizona, now moves into the No. 2 RB role.

To replace Johnson on the roster, the team officially re-signed running back Kerwynn Williams. Also, with Carson Palmer‘s status in the air (concussion), the team also promoted quarterback Zac Dysert from the practice squad. Versatile wide receiver/defensive back Brittan Golden was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. In other moves, punter Drew Butler (calf) was waived with an injury settlement and safety Christian Bryant was added to the practice squad. The team still has one opening on the taxi squad.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals To Re-Sign RB Kerwynn Williams

October 3rd, 2016 at 7:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals will re-sign running back Kerwynn Williams, according to his agent Michael Hoffman (Twitter link). Williams has spent much of the past two seasons with Arizona, but was waived this year during final cutdowns.Kerwynn Williams (Vertical)

[RELATED: Cardinals To Exude Caution With Carson Palmer]

Second-year running back David Johnson has been among the best in the NFL this season, but his backup — veteran Chris Johnson — left Sunday’s game with a groin injury. He didn’t practice today, and with the Cardinals facing a quick turnaround as they prepare to play the 49ers on Thursday night, Chris Johnson might not be able to go. As such, Williams would factor into the backfield along with fellow reserves Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor.

Williams, 25, bounced on and off Arizona’s practice squad in 2015. Over parts of three seasons, Williams has totaled 80 rushes for 388 yards and one touchdown.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Workout Notes: Jets, Browns, Saints, Colts

September 20th, 2016 at 7:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Tuesday’s workouts from around the NFL:

  • The Jets auditioned former Tampa Bay and Notre Dame safety Elijah Shumate, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter), and outside linebacker Ivan McLennan (Twitter link via Darryl Slater of NJ.com). They also tried out wide receiver Mario Alford and safety Shamiel Gary, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link).
  • Veteran guard Mackenzy Bernadeau worked out for the Browns, as Caplan tweets.
  • The Saints took a look at tackles Robert Crisp and Reid Fragel, according to a source who spoke with Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter).
  • Outside linebacker Andy Mulumba and cornerback Corey Tindal worked out for the Colts, Caplan tweets.
  • The Packers auditioned linebacker Brandon Chubb, per Caplan (Twitter link).
  • The Titans tried out ex-Green Bay running back Brandon Burks and former Navy fullback Chris Swain today, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets.
  • The Buccaneers worked out linebacker Lenny Jones and defensive end Ryan Russell, according to Caplan (Twitter link).
  • The Seahawks auditioned running back Kerwynn Williams, outside linebacker Cam Johnson, and cornerbacks Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Demetrius McCray, Caplan tweets.

Cardinals Cut Butler, Clemons, Others

September 2nd, 2016 at 5:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are cutting linebacker Donald Butler and safety Chris Clemons as a part of their effort to get down to 53, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. "<strong

Butler signed a one-year deal with Arizona earlier this offseason, but it did not include any guaranteed money. The veteran, who has seven career sacks and three interceptions to his credit, played well enough in both 2012 and 2013 to earn a lucrative extension from the Chargers after the ’13 season. However, he struggled in 2014 and 2015, leading to his release in March of 2016. Butler was expected to bring experience to Arizona’s inside linebacker corps.

Clemons didn’t see much playing time since joining the Cardinals in 2014, but he was re-signed by the team in February to a non-guaranteed deal. The veteran was battling the likes of Tony Jefferson, rookie Marqui Christian, and Durell Eskridge for a spot behind starters Tyrann Mathieu and D.J. Swearinger but came up short. Earlier this offseason, Clemons was accused of assaulting a 25-year-old woman outside of a downtown Scottsdale nightclub.

The Cardinals also waived running back Kerwynn Williams, cornerback Cariel Brooks, wide receiver Marquis Bundy, tackle Rob Crisp, and guard Antoine McClain, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The full list of moves by the Cardinals today (so far) is below:

  • LB Donald Butler
  • S Chris Clemons
  • RB Kerwynn Williams
  • CB Cariel Brooks
  • WR Marquis Bundy
  • OT Rob Crisp
  • G Antoine McClain
  • WR Jaxon Shipley
  • C Taylor Boggs

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Place Chris Johnson On IR-DTR

December 1st, 2015 at 4:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals announced that they have placed running back Chris Johnson on IR-DTR, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets. In related moves (link), the Cardinals promoted running back Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad, signed cornerback Corey White, and cut cornerback Robert Nelson Jr.

The unfortunate news brings an end to one of, if not the, best comeback stories in the NFL this season. In 2015, the 30-year-old enjoyed a resurgence that few imagined could be possible over the offseason. In 11 games (9 starts) for the Cards, Johnson rushed for 814 yards and three scores off of 196 carries. If he plays again this season, it would have to be in the Super Bowl.

Last season for the Jets, Johnson ran for just 663 yards, the first time in his career he recorded fewer than 1,000 yards in a season. However, he averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for Gang Green in 2014 and the Cardinals saw potential in Johnson when no other team in the league did. The ground game was a weak spot in Arizona last season, as the team’s leading rusher, Andre Ellington, totaled just 660 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, prompting the Cards to make the low-risk, potentially high-reward signing.

Williams, 24, has just one carry with the Cardinals to his credit in 2015. Last season, Williams ran for 246 yards off of 53 carries in five games for Arizona.

In October, the Cardinals went on record saying that they would look into an extension for CJ2K. Obviously, the Cards will now wait until the offseason to discuss their future with the veteran.

Chris Johnson Suffers Fractured Tibia

December 1st, 2015 at 3:08pm CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 3:08pm: The Cardinals are evaluating all of their options when it comes to Johnson, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com reports (Twitter links). The Cards could keep CJ on the roster, place him on IR, or use the temporary IR for him. With the temporary IR, Somers believes that the soonest he could return would be for a possible NFL title game. Johnson’s injury, he adds, is a chip fracture near the top of tibia and close to knee, rather than the traditional broken leg a “tibia fracture” would suggest.

Meanwhile, backup Andre Ellington was diagnosed with a sprained toe after tests, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He’s day-to-day and his status for Sunday is in doubt.

9:02am: Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 (Twitter link) hears that Johnson is expected to miss six to eight weeks, noting that the club could promote Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad to help replenish the backfield in Johnson’s absence. The timeline suggested by Jurecki would put Johnson on track for a possible return in the postseason, though there’s no guarantee he’d be healthy in time for Arizona’s first playoff game.

MONDAY, 5:23pm: The Cardinals have learned that star running back Chris Johnson suffered a fractured tibia on Sunday, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Johnson will be be out for an extended period of time, but it’s not immediately clear exactly how long he will be sidelined. As Arizona looks ahead to Week 13, one has to imagine that Johnson’s regular season could be over and that could spill over into postseason territory as well.

Early reports on Sunday indicated that suffered a left knee injury, but it turns out that his injury happened below the knee. So far in 2015, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence that few imagined could be possible over the offseason. In 11 games (9 starts) for the Cards, Johnson has rushed for 814 yards and three scores off of 196 carries.

Last season for the Jets, Johnson ran for just 663 yards, the first time in his career he recorded fewer than 1,000 yards in a season. However, he averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for Gang Green in 2014. Meanwhile, the ground game was a weak spot in Arizona last season, as the team’s leading rusher, Andre Ellington, totaled just 660 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

In October, the Cardinals went on record saying that they would look into an extension for CJ2K.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/15

September 23rd, 2015 at 4:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are the latest practice squad signings and cuts from across the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: DE Efe Obada (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com)

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: WR/KR Kaelin Clay (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
  • Cut: WR Kendrick Ings

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: TE Sean McGrath (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle), CB Eric Patterson (via Mike Chappell of FOX59 on Twitter)
  • Cut: OL David Arkin

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

  • Signed: TE Connor Hamlett (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune)

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/22/15

September 22nd, 2015 at 7:08pm CST by Luke Adams

As usual, plenty of teams around the NFL are shaking up their rosters a little on the Tuesday following a full slate of games. Here are today’s minor moves:

  • Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain is done for the season with a badly sprained big toe, reports Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram adds (via Twitter) that the team has placed McClain on injured reserve.
  • The Cardinals have cut running back Kerwynn Williams in order to make room for offensive tackle Bobby Massie, who is returning from a two-game suspension, says Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link). We’ll see if Arizona re-adds Williams or another running back to the roster before the club’s Week 3 game, with Andre Ellington likely to be sidelined again. The Cardinals also cut Travis Harvey from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post tweets.
  • With Jay Cutler injured, the Bears activated quarterback David Fales from the taxi squad to the active roster, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. To make room, the Bears waived Bryce Callahan, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com tweets.
  • Washington linebacker Martrell Spaight, a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, has been placed on injured reserve due to a concussion, tweets Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com. The move opens up a roster spot for reinstated cornerback Chris Culliver.
  • Besides Massie, Culliver, and Vikings cornerback Jabari Price, whose reinstatement we noted yesterday, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell and Chargers offensive lineman Craig Watts are returning from suspensions this week, per Wilson (Twitter link). Pittsburgh and San Diego will have roster exemptions until tomorrow afternoon for those players.
  • The Colts have made a change at the cornerback spot, signing veteran free agent Josh Thomas and waiving Eric Patterson, owner Jim Irsay announced today (via Twitter). Perhaps more notably, the team an injury settlement with running back Vick Ballard, officially removing him from the roster. Ballard, who hasn’t played a game since the 2013 season, will become a free agent if and when he clears waivers.
  • The Dolphins are signing linebacker and special-teamer Terrell Manning, according to Wilson. The 25-year-old has already appeared in regular season games for five different NFL teams since entering the league in 2012.
  • With Austin Seferian-Jenkins set to miss some games, the Buccaneers are signing tight end Cameron Brate off the Saints‘ practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Brate started the season on Tampa Bay’s taxi squad before he landed on New Orleans’ unit last week.
  • The Buccaneers have also have also signed free agent defensive end Josh Martin and waived defensive end Kourtnei Brown, Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune tweets.
  • The Ravens waived running back Terrence Magee to open up spot for newly-acquired cornerback Will Davis, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • The Raiders cut Tevin McDonald, Wilson tweets.
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