Cardinals sign OLB Isaiah Irving away from Broncos, Chandler Jones to IR
Oct 15, 2020, 1:24 PM
Denver Broncos linebacker Isaiah Irving takes part in drills during an NFL football practice at the team's training headquarters Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Arizona Cardinals have a puzzle to piece together at outside linebacker in the wake of Chandler Jones’ season-ending injury, and they’ve begun picking up the pieces.
They signed pass-rusher Isaiah Irving off the Denver Broncos’ practice squad on Thursday while placing Jones on injured reserve as he requires surgery on his biceps.
Irving has 27 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in 33 games played for the Chicago Bears from 2017-19. He joined the Broncos in September.
The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Irving was an undrafted player out of San Jose State in 2017.
Arizona is not only down Jones at outside linebacker, but starter Devon Kennard is on the mend from a calf injury heading into the Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. He has returned to practice this week in a limited capacity.
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Kylie Fitts, Haason Reddick and Dennis Gardeck split snaps in the 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, but Fitts (hamstring) and Gardeck (foot) did not participate in practice Thursday. Gardeck, however, said Thursday that he expects to play.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said the team expects to dress four outside backers against the Cowboys.
The Cardinals had been searching for pass-rush help this week and showed interest in signing 37-year-old Lorenzo Alexander, who for family reasons opted to pass on a chance to join Arizona.
“If I decide to come back I don’t just want to be a guy,” Alexander told Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf. “I want to be out there flying around, hitting guys. When I sat down with my wife and after having a conversation with (GM) Steve (Keim), it just didn’t make sense for (my family).”
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