Cardinals sign punter Pat O’Donnell with Blake Gillikin nursing back issue

The Arizona Cardinals signed free agent punter Pat O’Donnell to the 53-man roster Friday, a day after starter Blake Gillikin appeared on the team’s injury report with a back issue that limited him in practice.

O’Donnell, who filled an open roster slot, gives Arizona insurance as it prepares for a Sunday visit to face the Indianapolis Colts.

The 34-year-old has a decade of experience and 153 games under his belt with the Bears (2014-21), Packers (2022) and 49ers (2024). He played for San Francisco in eight games last year, averaging 45.1 yards per boot on 24 punts. He pinned eight inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

O’Donnell was a sixth-round pick by Chicago in 2014.

Gillikin has been with Arizona since 2023, and he’s averaged 51.7 yards over 22 punts this season with two touchbacks and eight pins inside the 20-yard line.

As a team, Arizona is fourth in average yards per punt and third with a net of 47.2 yards.

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