Arizona Cardinals sign OLB Marcus Benard

It isn't a good year to play outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals. They now have four at the position on season-ending injured reserve. After Sam Acho, Lorenzo Alexander and Alex Okafor were placed there last week, newly signed Vic So'oto was added to the list with a chest injury he suffered against the Tamp Bay Buccaneers.

To replace So'oto on the roster, they have signed outside linebacker Marcus Benard.

Benard (6-2, 260) played in 25 games (two starts) in three seasons with the Cleveland Browns (2009-2011) and had 11.5 sacks, 39 tackles (25 solos), and six special teams tackles. He entered the league with Cleveland in 2009 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Jackson State and played in six games as a rookie and had 3.5 sacks. His best season was in 2010 when played in 15 games (two starts) and led the Browns with 7.5 sacks.

He spent the preseason with the New England Patriots, but was released in the team's final roster cut on August 30.

Benard will wear jersey #59.

The team still has not announced the reported trade of Levi Brown, so there will be another roster addition when that trade is completed.