Cardinals activate LB Tanner Vallejo among several roster moves

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The Arizona Cardinals activated linebacker Tanner Vallejo from the Injured Reserve/Designated for return list among several moves made on Saturday.

Vallejo went on IR with a knee injury on Nov. 20 following Arizona’s loss against the Carolina Panthers in Week 10.

He had been playing increased snaps before the injury, at least 35% of defensive downs in three straight weeks.

Vallejo, a third-year Cardinal, was playing ahead of rookie Zaven Collins at inside linebacker.

The Cardinals played Joe Walker alongside Jordan Hicks at that position a lot last week, and Vallejo provides another option.

With edge rushers Markus Golden and Devon Kennard on the COVID-19 list, the Cardinals can use all the depth they can get.

Speaking to that, Arizona elevated four players from the practice squad including two COVID-19 replacements.

That duo is defensive lineman Josh Mauro and cornerback Kevin Peterson, while cornerback Jace Whittaker and tight end David Wells are standard elevations.

Mauro will provide experienced depth on a defensive line that will be without tackle Jordan Phillips (knee) this weekend. Defensive end Zach Allen is questionable.

Peterson and Whittaker provide bodies to a depleted cornerback position, as rookie Marco Wilson was ruled out for Sunday with a shoulder injury and Breon Border remains on the COVID-19 list.

Robert Alford is on injured reserve and is not eligible to be activated until next week at the soonest.

Peterson played 24 defensive snaps as an elevated player last week since Wilson went down in the first half.

Whittaker played 30 defensive snaps in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers because of multiple injuries, but that is his only game action this year.

Wells could be insurance in case tight end Demetrius Harris cannot play. He is questionable with a shoulder issue.

The Cardinals take on the Dallas Cowboys from AT&T Stadium Sunday at 2:25 p.m. You can tune in on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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