ARIZONA CARDINALS
Notable Cardinals cuts include Evan Boehm, veteran wide receivers
The Arizona Cardinals announced roster cuts and additions over Labor Day weekend following the final preseason game.
Barring any more additions off the waiver wire or free agency, the Cardinals have their 53-man roster ready for the first week of the season.
Here are some notable moves the Cardinals made:
Wide receiver cuts
Arizona took on a plethora of unproven wide receivers in training camp to see if they could tap into any unfulfilled potential.
In June, Brice Butler said he didn’t want to be a “pinch-hitter” with the Cardinals. He thought he was ready for a role that would make him more involved in the passing game than he had been with the Dallas Cowboys.
After a pedestrian preseason, the Cardinals decided they didn’t want him to pinch hit, either. He only had three receptions for 36 yards.
Greg Little was another veteran attempting to prove himself, but he had a different battle.
Little never replicated his impressive 2011 rookie year, and moved on from the Cleveland Browns after a mediocre 2013 season. Little couldn’t find a spot on the Cincinnati Bengals the next year, either, playing in only six games.
He hasn’t seen an NFL snap since.
His touchdown in the fourth game of the preseason wasn’t enough to convince the Cardinals.
After catching three passes for 12 yards, Little was cut.
Instead of the veterans, undrafted rookie Trent Sherfield got the call.
He made a strong impression on both offense and special teams, recording two receptions for 44 yards against the Broncos on Thursday and scoring a touchdown on a muffed punt against the Cowboys the game before.
Boehm released
After adding two offensive linemen off the waiver wire, the Cardinals decided they didn’t have room for Evan Boehm or Will Holden.
Boehm, who played 31 of 32 games over the last two years and started eight at guard in 2017, was initially drafted as a center in 2016.
It appeared he would get a chance to back up Mason Cole after starting center A.Q. Shipley tore his ACL at the beginning of August.
Instead, the Cardinals stuck with Daniel Munyer, who will apparently back up Cole.
Defensive moves
Rookie safety A.J. Howard and defensive end Vontarrius Dora made the initial 53-man cut.
However, after roster additions Sunday, both were cut to make room.
Howard impressed early in preseason, getting an interception, but he couldn’t find room as the Cardinals kept five safeties on the roster: Budda Baker, Tre Boston, Rudy Ford, Antoine Bethea and the “Swiss Army Knife” undrafted rookie, Zeke Turner.
Dora was cut despite recording three sacks, forcing a fumble and grabbing two fumble recoveries. Markus Golden was activated off the physically unable to play list and the Cardinals signed Zach Moore, a free agent DE.
Fourth-year pro Benson Mayowa and Jacquies Smith beat Dora out as well.
Defensive end Cap Capi, a preseason darling, was also cut on Saturday, as was former Arizona star linebacker Scooby Wright III.
Arizona also released sixth-round draft pick cornerback Chris Campbell.
In his place, Bene Benwikere made the team. He was all over the field during preseason, intercepting a pass, recording four tackles forcing a fumble and playing impressive coverage.
The Cardinals also kept undrafted rookie Deatrick Nichols ahead of Campbell.
