ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals claim 6 players off waivers, focusing on center depth

Aug 30, 2023, 10:07 AM | Updated: 2:07 pm

Monti Ossenfort at training camp...

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort participates in a team practice ahead of the NFL season at State Farm Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals claimed an NFL-high six players off waivers Wednesday following the league’s 53-man roster cut deadline a day prior, the team announced.

ESPN’s Field Yates was the first to report the claims.

Arizona claimed centers Trystan Colon-Castillo and Keith Ismael, safety K’Von Wallace, cornerback Starling Thomas offensive tackle Ilm Manning and tight end Elijah Higgins.

To make room for the new additions, wide receiver Daniel Arias, offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, safety Jovante Moffatt, defensive lineman Ben Stille and tight end Blake Whiteheart were released.

The center position was a focus with Hjalte Froholdt the starter and no depth thereafter. Rookie Jon Gaines II appeared to be in line to play backup but begins the year on the injured reserve with his season lost due to a knee injury.

Hayden Howerton and Lecitus Smith, two other center options, were released Tuesday, while veteran Pat Elflein was placed on the injured reserve on Monday.

Colon-Castillo has 20 games of experience with the Baltimore Ravens and four starts under his belt, while Ismael has 18 games of NFL experience and five starts, all with the Washington Commanders.

Wallace is the most experienced player of the waiver claims with 45 games played and seven starts for the Philadelphia Eagles in the past three years under then-defensive coordinator and first-year Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.

He adds depth behind Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson and could be utilized right away with three-safety looks.

Manning (undrafted out of Hawaii) and Higgins (Miami Dolphins sixth-round pick out of Stanford) are the rookies reportedly picked up by the Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks to throw during his team's Week 10 win over the New York Je...

Tyler Drake

Kyler Murray ‘not satisfied’ by 4-game win streak, Week 10 effort vs. Jets

Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is hungry for more following his team's fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon.

8 hours ago

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Rapid reactions: Cardinals keep winning form going in annihilation of Jets

The Cardinals continued a trend on Sunday of dominant showings at home, with the latest instance being a beatdown of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

9 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker celebrates midgame. The safety reached 100 tackles for the season a...

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker notches 5th season with at least 100 tackles

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker needed just 10 games to hit the 100-tackle mark in 2024 after registering nine against the New York Jets.

9 hours ago

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray...

Dan Bickley

Kyler Murray showing everything as Cardinals are becoming offensive juggernaut

Pinch yourself. The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray are starting to look like the juggernaut that they are on paper.

10 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs the rock against the New York Jets. The Cardinals remain ato...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals head into bye week with NFC West lead in hand

The Arizona Cardinals kept their NFC West lead intact behind an absolute throttling of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Sunday.

10 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals offense during its Week 10 game against the New York Jets....

Tyler Drake

Cardinals pick up where they left off with dominant win vs. Jets

Just about everything is going right for the Arizona Cardinals midway through their Week 10 game against the New York Jets.

11 hours ago

Cardinals claim 6 players off waivers, focusing on center depth