Arizona Cardinals place TE Troy Niklas on IR, sign TE Matthew Mulligan

Arizona Cardinals rookie tight end Troy Niklas saw his season come to an end after re-injuring the ankle that sidelined him for three games earlier in the season. The Cardinals announced they placed him on season-ending injured reserve and signed tight end Matthew Mulligan to replace him.

Niklas ended the year having played in seven games, catching three passes for 38 yards.

His rookie year was marked by injuries. He started offseason workouts on the sideline after offseason hernia surgery. Then he broke a finger in his first practice, getting it caught in a jersey. Then he had the high ankle sprain and then re-injured it on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Mulligan (6-4, 267) played in two games (one start) for the Bears earlier this season until he was released on September 16. The sixth-year veteran has played in 67 career games (25 starts) and has 16 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. He played in 15 games with four starts last season for New England after playing in all 16 games with nine starts for St. Louis in 2012.

He originally entered the league with Miami as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2008 out of Maine and spent his rookie season on the Dolphins practice squad. He then played three seasons with the Jets (2009-11) before joining the Rams in 2012. Mulligan has also played in six postseason games with one start.

Mulligan will wear jersey #81.