On the eve of their season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals have made a pair of roster moves to cover depth in the case that rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson is unable to play. They have placed tackle Brandon Keith on season-ending injured reserve and, to take his place on the active roster, have promoted cornerback Marshay Green from the practice squad.
Since it is the last game of the season and Keith was already declared "out" for the game, putting him on injured reserve does nothing, as the season ends after the game for the Cards. The only thing it could have affected is the fact that a player placed on IR is ineligible for the Pro Bowl, but since we all know that Keith is nowhere near good enough to make that team, it obviously will not have any effect.
The team already covered Keith's absence by promoting fellow tackle D.J. Young from the practice squad, a move that also prevented him from being lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly attempted to sign him from Arizona's practice squad, and the Cards wanted to retain him for next year to further develop.
Green was signed last season and was inactive for the final six games. He was on the practice squad all season until Saturday. He originally joined the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie free agent from Mississippi in 2010 where he finished his career with 61 tackles and two interceptions on defense as well as 50 receptions for 434 yards and two touchdowns on offense.
He was also a special teams standout in college and can return punts. He spent a lot of time in training camp working with the punt return team.
His presence on the roster is needed because Patrick Peterson will be a game day decision as to whether or not he will play, due to an injury to his Achilles tendon.
It is doubtful Green will see any time on the field, except for maybe special teams if Peterson is unable to play. However, if anything else, he does earn one NFL game check, and that is a nice reward for a lot of practice time.
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