Cardinals waive Johnson and Rollins, elevate undrafted rookie CBs
Dec 18, 2018, 12:03 PM | Updated: 2:46 pm
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, right, runs for a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson (36) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Arizona Cardinals have released cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Quinten Rollins, plus linebacker Jonathan Anderson, the team announced Tuesday.
Additionally, Arizona elevated undrafted rookie cornerbacks Deatrick Nichols and Chris Jones from the practice squad and signed corner Jonathan Moxey to the practice squad.
Johnson signed with Arizona on Nov. 27 along with fellow defensive back Quentin Rollins after the Cardinals waived former starting cornerback Bene Benwikere, but he did not appear in a game.
Prior to his time in Arizona, Johnson played games in five different NFL seasons after being drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played four seasons in San Francisco, appearing in 63 games there, starting 22, and recording 135 tackles with two interceptions. This year, he appeared in one game for the Buffalo Bills.
The cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson has seen extensive turnover since the start of the season. Arizona traded for former Cleveland Browns corner Jamar Taylor before the year, but Benwikere took his starting spot after the first three games of the year.
After Benwikere was cut, David Amerson stepped into the role, but with him currently in concussion protocol, Brandon Williams could earned playing time with Jones and Nichols acting as backups.
