Cardinals sign K Blankenship to roster, send DT Lawrence to IR

The return of Arizona Cardinals starting kicker Matt Prater (hip injury) continues to be pushed down the road.

The team on Wednesday signed practice squad kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to the 53-man roster and sent defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence (shoulder) to the injured reserve.

Arizona also signed offensive linemen Danny Isidora and Sage Doxtater to the practice squad, while releasing receiver Laquon Treadwell.

The loss of Lawrence adds to the third-year pro’s injury history. The 2020 fourth-round pick has been available to play in 25 of 40 regular season games over the first two-plus years of his career.

Lawrence had eight tackles and a forced fumble with 3.5 stuffs so far this season.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury could not commit Wednesday to whether the lineman will return this season.

“I’d say it’s a month before we’ll know anything, whether he can rehab it and play or just go to IR,” Kingsbury said.

“Let it try and heal somewhat on its own, I think at some point he’ll have to have surgery, but he may be able to rehab and play through it.”

The Cardinals first signed Blankenship to the practice squad on Oct. 18 after releasing short-term kicker Matt Ammendola a day prior.

After promoting Blankenship to the active roster, the Cardinals earned trust in him as he went 2-for-2 on field goals during a Thursday win against the New Orleans Saints. It included a make from 50 yards.

Blankenship entered the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

He started this year with Indianapolis but in the season opener missed a game-winning opportunity from 42 yards out while also landing two kickoffs out of bounds for penalties. He was waived before Week 2.

For his career, Blankenship has gone: 15-of-15 from between 20-29 yards; 15-of-17 from 30-39 yards; 15-of-19 from 40-49 yards; and 2-of-5 from 50 or more yards.

Kingsbury said Prater remains day-to-day.

“May be a deal where he doesn’t take the kickoffs if he can just kick field goals,” Kingsbury said. “We’re not sure yet. We’ve got to get through the week and see where it goes.”

Kingsbury said the Cardinals want to be cautious with the veteran kicker.

Isidora returns to the Cardinals practice squad after being cut on Oct. 11.

Doxtater, a rookie out of New Mexico State, played with the Saints through the preseason.

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