Stay up-to-date as the Arizona Cardinals cut their 80-man roster down to 53
CB Jace Whittaker
Cardinals cut Jace Whittaker, per a league source. Expectation is for him to join the practice squad if he goes unclaimed off waivers
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 29, 2022
Whittaker played 90 coverage snaps this preseason and graded out at a 47.7 with 26.8 against the run.
WR Andre Baccellia
Cardinals cut wide receiver Andre Baccellia, per a league source. Plan is for him to join the practice squad if he clears waivers @PFN365 #Cardinals
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 29, 2022
Stuck near the bottom of the depth chart, Baccellia did not see much playing time in the preseason but would be a solid practice squad addition.
CB Josh Jackson
We have released CB Josh Jackson, OL Koda Martin, and LB Joe Walker.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 29, 2022
A former 2nd round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers, Jackson was signed as a free agent this offseason to give more depth to the cornerback room. A rough preseason was apparently not enough to secure a spot on the final roster. He is also, notably, the second player released in an already razor thin cornerback room.
Big trade incoming?
OL Koda Martin
After two big additions this offseason of Will Hernandez and Cody Ford, the fates of offensive linemen further down the depth chart was in severe jeopardy. Koda Martin was the first of the bunch to be released by the Arizona Cardinals, but certainly not the last.
LB Joe Walker
Potentially the first big surprise. Walker has played a big role on special teams and even made eight regular season appearances in 2021. Does this signal that Chandler Wooten showed enough in the preseason to secure a backup role behind Zaven Collins?
OLB Devon Kennard
After drafting 2 OLBs, the #AZCardinals are releasing veteran Devon Kennard, source said.
Kennard was penciled in as a starter and had a strong camp, but Cardinals are going go give the young players more opportunities.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2022
In what has to be the biggest surprise thus far, the Arizona Cardinals have released Devon Kennard. The veteran was anticipated to be the starting outside linebacker, across from Markus Golden. While Kennard was not the most effective pass rusher, he was solid against the run. Does this clear the way for Victor Dimukeje or Myjai Sanders to start?
S James Wiggins (unverified)
The #Cardinals released S James Wiggins, per source.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 29, 2022
James Wiggins was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. During the 2021 season, Wiggins spent time on the Cardinals practice squad, before being added to the active roster in October. Wiggins played exclusively on special teams during his time on the active roster, and was placed in Injured Reserve in December. Wiggins played extensively during the 2022 preseason, suggesting that he was competing for a roster spot. However, aside from a notable interception, did not post impressive grades. PFF awarded a 47.1 for his three preseason performances.
The Cardinals drafted Wiggins largely because of his ability as a special teams gunner, and if not claimed by another team, he seems to be a likely practice squad candidate. However, in a stacked safety room that includes arguably the best safety duo in the NFL in Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker, it would have been hard to find playing time outside of an injury situations.
* Has not been verified by the official Arizona Cardinals account or any other major NFL sources. This article will be updated when official news is released.
LB Chandler Wooten
After a strong preseason LB Chandler Wooten is being released by the #AZCardinals, source said. If the former #Auburn product clears waivers he’ll be brought back on the PS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2022
This one is going to hurt the feelings of a lot of Cardinals fans. Wooten made himself into a fan favorite with some impressive preseason performances and after the release of Joe Walker it seemed like he had a good shot to make the final 53. An undrafted product out of Auburn, Wooten is highly unlikely to make it through waivers but would be a perfect practice squad candidate if he does.
In 3 preseason games: 12 tackles, 4 assists, 1 interception, 55.7 passer rating allowed
DT Christian Ringo (unverified)
The #Cardinals have waived DT Christian Ringo, per sources | @HeavyOnSports
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 30, 2022
Another former Green Bay Packer draft pick, Christian Ringo has spent time on five teams since 2015. He never received any significant playing time and the path for him to make the final 53 was a long one to begin with. Cutting veteran defensive tackles does, however, point to the Cardinals being high on their young options at the position such as Rashard Lawrence and Leki Fotu.
*Similar to James Wiggins, this cut is currently unverified but has been reported by Matt Lombardo.
QB Trace McSorley
The #AZCardinals have waived QB Trace McSorley, source said, though he'll likely end up back on the practice squad. Unless he's claimed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2022
After an up and down preseason, the Cardinals opted to waive third-string quarterback Trace McSorley. Given the tough decisions across the roster, it seemed increasingly likely that the Cardinals were only going to keep two quarterbacks. Look for McSorley to be added to the practice squad if he isn’t claimed on waivers.
OLB Jesse Luketa
The #Cardinals are waiving OLB Jesse Luketa, per source. He won the top gun award for special teams play during the first week of preseason. Now, a seventh-round pick from a year ago heads on waivers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2022
There had been some speculation that Jesse Luketa had made the initial 53-man roster, but Tom Pelissero reports that he has, indeed, been waived. Luketa faced long odds to make the roster with at least six outside linebackers projected to be ahead of him on the depth chart. The surprise release of Devon Kennard offered a sliver of hope for Luketa, who has outstanding potential as a special teams contributor. But, ultimately, he seems to have been a victim of the numbers game. Luketa seems to be a prime candidate for the practice squad if he goes unclaimed through waivers.
TE Stephen Anderson
WR Victor Bolden, Jr.
LS Aaron Brewer
OL Rashaad Coward
S Tae Daley (waived/injured)
QB Jarret Guarantano
OL Danny Isidora
DL Manny Jones
WR Jontre Kirklin
OL Greg Long (waived/injured)
OL Josh Miles (waived/injured)
OL Justin Murray (injury settlement)
WR JaVonta Payton
TE Chris Pierce, Jr. (waived/injured)
TE Bernhard Seikovits
DL Antwaun Woods
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