Cardinals designate DL Zach Allen to return from injured reserve

The Arizona Cardinals designated defensive lineman Zach Allen to return from the injured reserve list on Tuesday.

Allen, who hasn’t played since Week 7 due to a leg injury, can begin practicing with the team and can be activated to the 53-man roster at any time over the next 21 days or at the end of the three-week period.

Through seven games (two starts), the lineman has registered 11 tackles, two for losses, 1.0 sack and four QB hits.

It’s a positive sign for a Cardinals team that has been hit with injuries along the defensive line. Tackle Corey Peters (knee) and pass-rusher Chandler Jones (biceps) are on the shelf for the rest of the year due to injury. Lineman Jordan Phillips was placed on the injured reserve ahead of the team’s Thursday night loss to the Seattle Seahawks with a hamstring injury.

In addition to Allen, the Cardinals announced the practice squad signings of tight end Evan Baylis, defensive linemen P.J. Johnson, Daylon Mack and Stacy McGee, and linebacker Reggie Walker.

Both Baylis and Walker were released from the Cardinals’ 53-man roster on Saturday after being elevated for Thursday night’s game against Seattle.

Johnson, who played college ball at Arizona, was a seventh-round draft pick for the Detroit Lions in 2019. He ended up spending time on the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad last season and was with the Seahawks this year during training camp.

In his lone season as a Wildcat, Johnson recorded 31 tackles, 8.5 for losses and three sacks. He also played collegiately for Sacramento State and City College of San Francisco.

Mack played one game with the Ravens last season after being selected by Baltimore in the 2019 NFL Draft (fifth round). He was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury following his only appearance with the team. He’s spent time with the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Lions practice squads this season.

McGee comes to the Cardinals organization after playing for the then-Oakland Raiders (2013-16), Washington (2017-18) and Carolina Panthers (2019). In 79 career games, McGee has 118 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 15 QB hits. He entered the league as a 2013 sixth-round draft pick with the Raiders.

To make room for the signings, Arizona released linebacker Stephone Anthony and offensive lineman Rick Leonard from the practice squad.

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