ARIZONA CARDINALS

Veteran LB Jordan Hicks waived by Arizona Cardinals

Mar 9, 2022, 1:35 PM

The Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday opted to waive starting middle linebacker and captain Jordan Hicks, effectively opening the door for second-year pro Zaven Collins.

Due to count $9.5 million against the cap if he played for Arizona this season, the cut saves Arizona $6.5 million and is $3 million in dead money, according to OverTheCap.com.

The Cardinals made the move after taking inside linebackers with their first-round picks in each of the past two seasons. After selecting Isaiah Simmons in 2020 and Zaven Collins last offseason, Arizona allowed Hicks to seek out a trade last summer before he instead fought his way back into earning a significant role.

Hicks recorded 116 tackles with four sacks and five passes defensed in the 2021 regular season.

Named a captain, the 29-year-old led the team in snaps (1,054) and percent of available downs played (97%), keeping Collins from appearing in a featured role.

The 16th overall pick out of Tulsa played 20% of the available snaps in 2021 but now figures to swing into a starting role alongside Simmons, who was the No. 8 selection a year prior.

“Jordan Hicks did a great job this year, especially under the circumstances he was in,” Cardinals general manager Steve Keim told reporters at the NFL Draft Combine last week. “And, you know, to be quite frank with you, I know it came out that it was my decision when to set the table straight, when we made that decision on draft day, we made it with the defensive staff.

“So Jordan was a guy that knew the defense inside and out. And obviously, we benefited from that because of the complexity of some of the things that we were doing. But moving forward, there’s no doubt that we have to get those young kids involved more.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Joshua Dobbs #9 of the Arizona Cardinals on the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys  at State ...

Dan Bickley

Have Arizona Cardinals found hidden treasure in QB Josh Dobbs?

The early results from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs have been a revelation and is making the new regime look good.

12 hours ago

Zaven Collins at practice...

Arizona Sports

Eye patches and blurred vision: Cardinals LB Zaven Collins describes ‘freak’ injury

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins explained how he suffered an injury that caused him to wear an eye patch for a few days.

13 hours ago

Wide receiver Marquise Brown #2 of the Arizona Cardinals prepares for the snap during the second ha...

Arizona Sports

Injury report: Marquise Brown limited at practice ahead of Cardinals-49ers

The Arizona Cardinals enter Week 4 with an 1-2 record against the NFC East as they prepare to play against the San Francisco 49ers.

14 hours ago

Roy Lopez at practice...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals DL Roy Lopez hoping to stick with hometown team

As a Tempe native who played for Mesquite High School, it's a clean slate in a familiar setting with a team Roy Lopez grew up watching.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater...

Arizona Sports

Cardinals’ Matt Prater named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for performance vs. Cowboys

Cardinals kicker Matt Prater was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after Arizona's win against the Dallas Cowboys.

2 days ago

Wide receiver Rondale Moore #4 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football ahead of linebacker ...

Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals OC embracing unique utilization of WR Rondale Moore

Arizona Cardinals wideout Rondale Moore was one of a few skill players to have a big gain on Sunday, and his came from the backfield.

2 days ago

Veteran LB Jordan Hicks waived by Arizona Cardinals