Arizona Cardinals initial 53-man roster for 2024 season
Aug 27, 2024, 2:27 PM | Updated: 3:31 pm
The Arizona Cardinals have announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season following Tuesday afternoon’s cut deadline.
The largest decision looming over the Cardinals heading into Tuesday was how many quarterbacks they would be putting on the roster and if the loser of the QB2 battle would make the cut. Desmond Ridder, the offseason acquisition from the Atlanta Falcons, was the odd man out there.
The running back room did indeed prove to be too crowded. Michael Carter was cut despite impressing at the back-half of last season, clearing the way for Emari Demercado to battle with Trey Benson for RB2 touches behind James Conner. DeeJay Dallas remains on the roster for his special team duties in the return game.
On Monday night, part of the Cardinals’ position battle at edge rusher was solved when third-year pro Cameron Thomas was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Tyreke Smith was also cut, leaving Arizona with five edge rushers on the initial 53-man roster.
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Arizona’s roster does not include Zay Jones, who was suspended for the first five games of the season. His absence allowed undrafted rookie Xavier Weaver to slip in and take the fifth wideout spot after an impressive string of preseason performances while being buzzed about all training camp long.
Injured reserve placements for Christian Jones and Darius Robinson opened up two roster spots for borderline hopefuls like offensive lineman Trystan Colon and defensive back Joey Blount get nods. In addition, veteran linebacker Krys Barnes was cut and Arizona opted to carry only three inside linebackers, stacking up on another safety in Darren Hall. The Cardinals also have four tight ends on the roster, with Travis Vokolek making the team too.
The Cardinals could still choose to alter the 53-man roster after other cuts across the league are made, getting in on waiver wire claims. Arizona has the fourth-highest priority. The Cardinals could keep an eye out on any veteran quarterbacks becoming available, as well as any additional talent to add to an edge rushing group that was a weakness coming into the season and then lost B.J. Ojulari for the season.
Arizona Cardinals initial 53-man roster for 2024 season
QB — Kyler Murray, Clayton Tune
RB — James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, DeeJay Dallas
WR — Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal, Xavier Weaver, Chris Moore (Zay Jones suspended)
TE — Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, Travis Vokolek
OL — Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Evan Brown, Isaiah Adams, Kelvin Beachum, Jon Gaines II, Trystan Colon (Christian Jones on IR)
DL — Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones, Roy Lopez, Khyiris Tonga, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills (Darius Robinson on IR)
OLB — Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Xavier Thomas, Jesse Luketa, Victor Dimukeje
ILB — Kyzir White, Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe
CB — Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V, Kei’Trel Clark, Elijah Jones
S — Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Darren Hall, Joey Blount
K — Matt Prater
P — Blake Gillikin
LS — Aaron Brewer
