NFL Overreactions Week 8: Green Bay tops Rodgers, Fields sparks Jets
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 8 slate.
- The Arizona Cardinals released running back Michael Carter and defensive back Darren Hall on Monday, Oct. 27.
- The moves open two spots on the 53-man roster, which could signal the return of injured players.
The Arizona Cardinals made a pair of moves on Monday, Oct. 27, as they returned from their bye week.
The Cardinals released running back Michael Carter and defensive back Darren Hall, a pair of veterans. Those moves cleared two spots on the 53-man roster, which now has 51 active players.
Carter’s release was particularly notable, as he took over as the Cardinals’ starting running back earlier this month, when Trey Benson was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Carter, though, had struggled in three games with an expanded role, averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
And when Emari Demercado suffered an ankle injury in Week 6, the Cardinals slid Carter into Demercado’s pass-catching role, with Bam Knight taking over as the lead early down back. Knight outshone Carter in his opportunities, averaging 3.6 yards per carry over his past two games.
With an extra week of rest during the Cardinals’ Week 8 bye, Demercado could now be set to return, joining Knight in the Cardinals’ muddled backfield.
The Cardinals’ third active running back in their last game was veteran D’Ernest Johnson, who was a game-day elevation from the practice squad. They could elevate Johnson again in Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys or sign him to the active roster.
Benson, meanwhile, is not eligible to return until Week 10, as he must miss four games on IR. He was initially expected to miss four to six weeks with his knee injury.
The two open roster spots could also suggest two other key Cardinals may be nearing returns.
Walter Nolen, their first-round defensive tackle, began his three-week practice window on Oct. 15. He must be added to the active roster by Nov. 5.
Cornerback Garrett Williams, meanwhile, has worked on the side of the field with trainers during recent practices. He is eligible to return from injured reserve from a knee injury suffered in Week 2, although the Cardinals have not yet opened his practice window.
The other Cardinals players who are currently eligible to return from either injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list are defensive tackle L.J. Collier, defensive tackle Justin Jones, edge rusher B.J. Ojulari, offensive tackle Hayden Conner and offensive tackle Christian Jones.
