Cardinals waive Butler, place Branch and Johnson on IR
Oct 4, 2016, 11:19 AM | Updated: 11:29 am
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is chased by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Arizona Cardinals made a series of roster moves Tuesday, as they waived punter Drew Butler (calf) with an injury settlement and placed safety Tyvon Branch and running back Chris Johnson on injured reserve with groin injuries.
The Cardinals also signed RB Kerwynn Williams, elevated QB Zac Dysert and receiver Brittan Golden from the practice squad to the active roster and signed safety Christian Bryant to the practice squad.
Butler suffered an Achilles injury in the team’s Week 3 loss in Buffalo; Branch and Johnson injured their groins during Arizona’s 17-13 loss to Los Angeles last Sunday.
In his first season with the Cardinals, Branch notched 20 total tackles along with two passes defensed. Johnson was in his second season with the team, and he ran for 95 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries.
The move to promote Dysert is related to the health status of starting QB Carson Palmer, who sustained a concussion on Sunday and may not be cleared to play by the time the team plays the 49ers Thursday night. The QB was added to the Cardinals’ practice squad on Sept. 6 after spending preseason with the Miami Dolphins. He has also been with the Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills.
Williams was brought on to replace Johnson, as Arizona’s depth at running back took a hit. He played in 11 games for the Cardinals the last two seasons, tallying 388 rushing yards and one touchdown on 80 carries. He was released by the Cardinals as part of the final roster cuts on Sept. 3.
Bryant played in nine games with the Rams last season after joining the team as a seventh-round pick out of Ohio State.
