Cardinals designate safety Charles Washington to return from injured reserve

The Arizona Cardinals announced Wednesday the team has designated safety Charles Washington to return from the injured reserve list ahead of Sunday’s tilt against the Los Angeles Rams.

Washington can begin practicing and the team can pull him up to the active roster any time over the next three weeks after the safety recovered from a chest injury in the preseason.

The team also signed offensive linemen Jean Delance, Sage Doxtater and Koda Martin to the practice squad, released punter Nolan Cooney and cornerback Jace Whittaker from the practice squad and placed defensive lineman Antwaun Woods on practice squad injured reserve.

This is Washington’s fourth year in Arizona after playing in 34 games mainly as a special teams player. He finished 2021 with three tackles and saw 61% of the available special teams snaps (122). His arrival comes at an important time as captain and star safety Budda Baker was announced out for Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday.

Delance was an undrafted rookie that was signed to the Chicago Bears before making his way to Arizona. He played 41 games over four years at the Florida and started 12 games at right tackle in 2021.

Doxtater played six seasons at New Mexico State. He was drafted No. 12 overall by the Toronto Argonauts in 2020 before returning to NMSU for one more season.

Cooney was signed last week amid the news that punter Andy Lee had landed on the injury report with an illness.

Both Martin and Whittaker have been on and off Arizona’s roster due to injuries and needs that have thrust the Cardinals into unique situations with their roster.