Shorty after hearing the news that linebacker Larry Foote returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinals have signed inside linebacker Paris Lenon to a three year contract on Monday.
Lenon spent last season with the St. Louis Rams where he recorded 43 tackles and three forced fumbles in a starting role. Before then, he was a starter with the Detroit Lions where he compiled 103 tackles per year and totaled 9 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 1interception. He also spent time in Green Bay where he was part of the depth chart in four seasons.
The 32-year old isn't a replacement for the recently departed Karlos Dansby. He isn't a threat against the pass or intimidating rusher, and he'll likely be assigned to the reserve role where he can provide veteran relief should a starter be lost to injury.
The Cardinals have had their sights set on Foote to start as the TED inside linebacker, but now that he isn't an option, they can focus on drafting one for the future. They can also focus on Joey Porter and Derek Anderson, who visited with the team last week.