ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals release S Deionte Thompson, elevate OLB Jesse Luketa

Sep 27, 2022, 1:26 PM

Arizona Cardinals S Deionte Thompson (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...

Arizona Cardinals S Deionte Thompson (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

Arizona Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson was released Tuesday and replaced on the team’s 53-man roster by rookie seventh-round pick Jesse Luketa.

While Luketa was elevated from the practice squad as the outside linebacker reportedly received interest from other NFL teams, the release of Thompson comes with two points of intrigue.

Thompson was the protector for punter Andy Lee, whose punt was blocked on Arizona’s first possession of a 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Furthermore, Thompson’s departure means the Cardinals currently only have two safeties healthy, starters Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker.

That’s if you don’t include third-year star backer Isaiah Simmons, who has practiced with the safeties but has seen his role in the middle of the defense reduced over the past two weeks.

The team also has veteran Charles Washington eligible to come off injured reserve after a Week 4 game on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers and only one safety, Josh Thomas, on the practice squad.

Luketa, who played four years at Penn State, was a seventh-round pick (256th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

19 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

22 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Cardinals release S Deionte Thompson, elevate OLB Jesse Luketa