ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals elevate Devon Kennard, Jace Whittaker from practice squad

Sep 17, 2022, 1:21 PM | Updated: Sep 18, 2022, 12:17 pm

Cornerback Jace Whittaker #39 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field with teammates during th...

Cornerback Jace Whittaker #39 of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field with teammates during the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 21, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 24-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals on Saturday elevated edge rusher Devon Kennard and cornerback Jace Whittaker to the active roster from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The two were elevated to the active roster last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, as well, and reverted back to the practice squad on Monday.

Teams get a maximum of two standard elevations each week, and players can be elevated up to three times before having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad.

Kennard remains listed as a second-string edge rusher behind Markus Golden on the team’s online depth chart. The veteran was released before the regular season and added to the practice squad, but he played 35 of 70 defensive snaps last Sunday. That led all edge rushers, although Golden was nursing a toe injury.

No edge rushers are listed on the injury report this week.

The Cardinals elected to lean on Kennard over rookies Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders — who was inactive — in Week 1.

Whittaker adds depth to the cornerback position, as Trayvon Mullen Jr. is listed as questionable. If Mullen can’t go, the Cardinals would be left with four corners including Byron Murphy Jr., Marco Wilson and rookie Christian Matthew.

Whittaker played nine defensive snaps last week and was targeted twice, allowing one completion for 30 yards. He also played six special teams snaps.

The Cardinals take on the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium at 1:25 p.m. Sunday. Listen on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. 

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