Arizona Cardinals place John Abraham on injured reserve, re-sign Drew Butler

John Abraham was a late acquisition last offseason, and like the two other players signed around that time, he was highly productive. He became the first Cardinal since Bertrand Berry to post double digit sacks. He was one of the cornerstones to a defense that ranked seventh in the league. Now the team must find someone else to produce.

John Abraham suffered a concussion against the San Diego Chargers and questioned whether his heart was still in football. The team received a roster exemption, while he pondered retiring, but Abraham ultimately decided to return. However, despite a week of rest, Abraham still failed his two concussion tests, and the team finally placed him on IR.

Instead of retiring and taking no money with him, he gets to collect his three million this season. He will still be a valuable sideline asset as he is a strong veteran leadership. They will miss what he offers on the field, but Bowles and the rest of this staff are confident that they can find someone to produce on the roster.

With the newly opened roster slot, the Cardinals went ahead and re-signed Drew Butler, who the team has had punt through the first two weeks, while Dave Zastudil continues to suffer a groin injury. Butler was released earlier this week as it appeared Zastudil would be able to punt, but after sitting out of practice on Thursday, the team needed their safety net once again. Butler has averaged 42.3 yards per punt this season, while downing two inside the 20, and having two punts blocked.