Cardinals expect to send Deone Bucannon, Tyvon Branch and Ulrick John to IR

If the Arizona Cardinals close out 2016 on a high note, they’ll have to do it with a cast of second-string players.

Following Sunday’s 26-23 loss to the Miami Dolphins in which five starters left with injuries, head coach Bruce Arians said three of those players will likely be added to the team’s injured reserve list.

Safety Tyvon Branch, who suffered a groin injury and has already spent time on the IR due to a similar issue, will be placed back on the list and is out for the year. Right tackle Ulrick John, who made his second start, is also expected to sit out the year due to a shoulder injury, while dollar linebacker Deone Bucannon could join them after suffering an ankle injury that could require surgery, Arians said.

None of the three are official moves as of Monday afternoon.

Bruce Arians says S Tyvon Branch probably back to IR. $LB Deone Bucannon may go to IR (ankle, might need surgery). T Ulrick John to IR.

— Adam Green (@theAdamGreen) December 12, 2016

The other two starters injured against the Dolphins, left tackle D.J. Humphries and cornerback Marcus Cooper, are expected to continue playing this year, Arians added.

When that will be is a question for Humphries, who is under the NFL concussion protocol.

Cooper left the game after taking a hit to his back, but he is listed as day-to-day, Arians said.

Additionally, Arizona expects safety Tyrann Mathieu, who has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury, to practice Wednesday and see how he feels, Arians told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Bickley and Marotta.

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