Arizona Cardinals release linebacker Josh Bynes

The Arizona Cardinals’ linebacker depth got a little thinner on Wednesday.

The team announced that it has released linebacker Josh Bynes.

Under former head coach Steve Wilks in 2018, Bynes was one of the most reliable players on the defense.

Starting 11 games, the linebacker made 75 total tackles, tied for fifth best on the team, to go along with 2.0 sacks and five pass breakups.

Joining the team in 2017, Bynes helped add depth to Arizona’s linebacker unit.

He was quick to make noise on the team.

Seven days after Bynes signed on with the Cardinals, the linebacker led the team in tackles in a preseason win over the Oakland Raiders. He went on to play in 14 games — starting in one. He had 24 tackles to go with 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles and one interception.

For his efforts, Arizona rewarded Bynes with a three-year deal worth a max value of $10 million last March.

In two seasons with the Cardinals (25 games), the linebacker made 111 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and had five pass breakups. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.

Before joining the Cardinals, the veteran out of Auburn spent three seasons with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.

Now, with Bynes out of the Cardinals’ future plans, and the possibility of Markus Golden and Deone Bucannon playing elsewhere next season, the team could turn to Haason Reddick, safety-turned-linebacker Zeke Turner, recently signed Brooks Reed, Tanner Vallejo and/or Dennis Gardeck who are all under contract.

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