A final Cardinals 53-man roster prediction ahead of cutdown day

Offseason programs, training camp and three preseason games have come and gone. Now, it’s decision time for the Arizona Cardinals, with 53-man roster cuts looming.

But before Tuesday’s cutdown day, one last roster projection to get you by:

Starters are italicized

A final Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster projection before cut day

QB (2): Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett

No surprises here.

RB (4): James Conner, Trey Benson, DeeJay Dallas, Emari Demercado

Michael Carter could find himself on the roster, though he is trending toward being a practice squad addition.

WR (6): Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones, Greg Dortch, Xavier Weaver, Simi Fehoko

Another preseason game, another opportunity seized for Fehoko.

Not only did he snag a 10-yard touchdown early in Saturday’s win, the wideout was also active on special teams with a pair of tackles.

Second-year pro Tejhaun Palmer had his chances to round out the room but fell short in the preseason and doesn’t have the NFL playing experience of Fehoko.

He’s a practice squad candidate.

TE (3): Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins

Too much depth at other spots to warrant a fourth tight end.

OL (9): Paris Johnson Jr., Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Jon Gaines II, Will Hernandez, Josh Fryar (Christian Jones and Hayden Conner on short-term IR)

There’s still no word on Conner or Jones when it comes to a timeline. For this projection, they both start the year on short-term injured reserve.

Hernandez, meanwhile, finds his way back off the PUP list in time for the initial 53-man roster.

DL (6): Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, P.J. Mustipher (Walter Nolen III, Bilal Nichols on reserve/PUP list and Justin Jones on long-term IR)

With neither Nolen nor Nichols getting any practices in up to this point, they move from active/PUP to reserve/PUP list to start the year.

Much like injured reserve, those on reserve/PUP must miss at least four games.

Mustipher rounds out the room.

Undrafted rookie Elijah Simmons should return on the practice squad, though he could get some looks elsewhere.

Justin Jones has struggled to stay healthy in his Arizona tenure. Unlike Conner and Christian Jones, the D-lineman would not have the opportunity to come back if he lands on long-term IR.

There are a lot of ways this room could look come Tuesday.

OLB (5): Zaven Collins, Josh Sweat, Jordan Burch, Baron Browning, Xavier Thomas (BJ Ojulari on reserve/PUP list)

Still no Ojulari on the practice field (outside of work off to the side with trainers). He’s another Cardinals player trending toward starting the season on the PUP list.

But with Burch making strides and Thomas coming off a strong preseason finale, Arizona appears to have enough backend depth at the position.

ILB (4): Mack Wilson Sr., Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cody Simon, Owen Pappoe

The first three inside linebackers listed are locks. Pappoe squeaks in thanks to his special teams play.

CB (6): Max Melton, Will Johnson, Garrett Williams, Kei’Trel Clark, Denzel Burke, Elijah Jones

Jones came to play on Saturday, recording a pair of passes defensed and sticking like glue on another deep ball thrown his way.

Elijah Jones not biting on the double move, he keeps his hips low and ends up running the WR route, gotta come down with that ball, great play though!! pic.twitter.com/g5h5zfE7L9

— PancakesSoul (@PancakesSoul) August 24, 2025

After his forced fumble in last week’s Denver loss, Jones is stacking games at the right time.

S (5): Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount, Kitan Crawford

Rookie safety Kitan Crawford showed a lot during the preseason, especially on the defensive end.

He and Joey Blount both earn a roster spot for their special teams abilities after battling throughout the preseason.

K (1): Chad Ryland

P (1): Blake Gillikin

LS (1): Aaron Brewer

Continuity is key here.

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