Cardinals activate OG Max Garcia from PUP list, make 2 other roster moves

The Arizona Cardinals expect to have offensive guard Max Garcia available to play if needed Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro reported Tuesday.

The Cardinals officially announced on Wednesday that he had been activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and in addition, they released linebacker Zack Brown and placed defensive lineman Clinton McDonald (neck) on injured reserve.

Garcia returned to practice on Oct. 16 in order to work back into football shape.

After his six weeks sidelined on the regular season PUP list and three weeks back in practice, the Cardinals were required to either add him to the active roster or move him to the injured reserve list.

Arizona’s offensive line depth could use the experience if it is again without right tackle Justin Murray, whose knee injury purged the team’s guard depth as left guard Justin Pugh moved into his starting spot. Garcia could join second-year pro Mason Cole as guard options alongside starting right guard J.R. Sweezy.

A fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Garcia is coming off an ACL tear suffered in mid-November. Primarily a left guard, he also played some right guard in his first four years in the NFL. Garcia has started in 41 games and played in 56 total.

Garcia, 27, was a depth signing by the Cardinals in March that will provide more insurance if an injury were to arise. Tackle depth is already gone with rookie seventh-round pick Josh Miles the lone backup behind left tackle D.J. Humphries and, for now, Pugh.

Cole and rookie Lamont Gaillard are the other depth options at center and guard.

The Cardinals have already been hurting in terms of injuries to that unit, losing right tackles Marcus Gilbert and Jordan Mills to knee injuries before Murray’s latest issue.

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