Cardinals make roster moves to fill spots

PHOENIX– The Arizona Cardinals had holes to fill after injuries to punter Dave Zastudil (groin) and linebacker Matt Shaughnessy (knee).

The team placed Zastudil on injured reserve and Shaughnessy on the injured reserve/designated to return list, filling their spots by elevating punter Drew Butler from the practice squad and re-signing linebacker Marcus Benard.

Butler (6-1, 217 pounds) has punted in each of the first three games this season for Arizona after signing with the team on Sept. 8. A former rookie free agent signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, Butler had 77 punts in 16 games for 3,374 yards (avg. 43.8 yards per punt) and had 26 punts inside the 20-yard-line. He will wear jersey no.2 for the Cardinals.

Benard (6-2, 260 pounds) will re-join the Cardinals after spending Week 2 on the active roster until his release on Sept. 16. Last season, Benard played for the Cardinals after Oct. 2 and had 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He also played for the Cleveland Browns from 2009-2011 and had 11.5 sacks, 39 tackles, and six special teams tackles. Benard will wear jersey no.59 for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals have also signed quarterback Dennis Dixon to the practice squad.

Dixon (6-3, 215 pounds) spent the preseason with the Buffalo Bills before being released on Aug. 25. The former Oregon Ducks standout was a fifth-round pick (156th overall) for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played four games with the Steelers between 2008-11 and went 35-for-59 for 402 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He spent two seasons (2012-13) on the Ravens practice squad.

The 29-year-old’s time with the Steelers coincided with Arians’, so Dixon should be comfortable with the coaching style and offense should he be called into action.

Dennis Dixon played for the Steelers (and Arians) from 2008-2011. He knows Arians' system.

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 7, 2014

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