What stands out in the Cardinals’ initial 53-man roster?

The Arizona Cardinals reached the 53-man roster threshold on Tuesday.

With it came surprises both on and off the initial depth chart.

But what really stood out from the roster release? Let’s take a look:

Cardinals 53-man roster takeaways

Carter, Barnes get the boot

Among the biggest names left off the roster were inside linebacker Krys Barnes and running back Michael Carter.

Instead of keeping four inside linebackers, something general manager Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals did last year, Arizona opted for three this time around. Kyzir White and Mack Wilson Sr. lead the room, with second-year pro Owen Pappoe serving as the team’s primary depth at the position.

Barnes was entering Year 2 with the Cardinals already armed with 16 games (six starts) of experience in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ system.

Taking on a more prominent role in the defense upon the loss of starting MIKE backer Kyzir White midseason, Barnes provided a consistent presence at the inside linebacker position and contributed on special teams.

Pappoe, who beat out Barnes for the remaining spot in the room, took a serious step forward this training camp. His play during joint practice and the preseason was further proof of his upped play.

But even with Pappoe’s emergence, Barnes’ spot on the roster still appeared safe. We’ll see if a reunion is in order through the practice squad.

As for Carter, he went from RB2 candidate entering the training camp to released in the matter of a month.

Much like Barnes and Pappoe, it’s not so much what Carter didn’t do as much as it was what Trey Benson and Emari Demercado showed throughout camp and the preseason.

On top of improving his pass protection, something that got him on the field as an undrafted rookie last season, Demercado returned to camp “rocked up” and stronger as a runner. He saw a ton of work with the first-team offense throughout camp, further establishing his role in the offense.

Benson, one of Arizona’s third-round picks in 2024, was slow out of the camp gates but has since looked a lot less timid and much more decisive. His second preseason game helped show just that.

Toss in special teams ace DeeJay Dallas’ place in the room, and Carter was the likely casualty if the Cardinals decided to avoid the unconventional route of keeping five RBs.

Still, he has more than enough game to find a landing spot elsewhere.

Clayton Tune for the win

If there was one thing made clear by Tuesday’s roster cuts, it was who won the QB2 battle between Tune and Desmond Ridder.

The veteran signal caller’s final showing against the Denver Broncos was not enough to sway the coaching staff, with the Cardinals releasing Ridder in favor of the second-year pro.

It was evident Tune had the better training camp, and that thinking was solidified with Tuesday’s decision.

General manager Monti Ossenfort gave up wide receiver Rondale Moore to acquire Ridder’s services this offseason, but even he knows when it’s time to cut his losses and move on.

Victory for Vokolek

At least for now, tight end Travis Vokolek has secured a 53-man roster spot.

The 2023 undrafted rookie appeared in two games for the Cardinals helping fill in for the injured Geoff Swaim and built off that small sample size this training camp and preseason.

It’s unclear how big of a role Vokolek might have with Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman expected to command most all of the offensive looks, but it’s clear Arizona sees something in the 26-year-old.

Vokolek might be the biggest surprise to make the roster, but he’s not the only one, with safety Darren Hall and wide receiver Chris Moore rounding out the top three.

Hall was a joint practice and preseason standout but had an uphill battle to crack a position group that includes Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson and rookie Dadrion “Rabbit” Taylor-Demerson.

Not only did Hall stick in the room, Arizona opted to keep four safeties with the addition of Joey Blount.

Moore had little trouble flashing his comfortability in the offense and abilities as a special teamer this camp. A deep wide-receiving pool left his chances at making the roster slim entering the week.

There’s a good chance Moore isn’t a part of Arizona’s WRs room if Zay Jones was suspended for the first five games of the year, but for now, he calls Arizona home.

Waiting game

Aside from getting some clarity regarding Arizona’s 53-man roster, we also got a somewhat updated timeline regarding first-round pick Darius Robinson.

Placed on short-term injured reserve with a calf injury suffered in Thursday’s practice, the rookie has been designated to return alongside tackle Christian Jones (tackle).

Unlike running back Tony Jones Jr. (shoulder), who was placed on season-ending IR, the duo can return to action after four weeks of the regular season.

Until Robinson is back in the fold, Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones and Roy Lopez are expected to have starting roles along the defensive line with Dante Stills and L.J. Collier serving as rotational pieces.

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