Arizona Cardinals release Alfonzo Dennard, place Jermaine Gresham on PUP; Troy Niklas hurt again

The Arizona Cardinals made a few roster moves that were announced Wednesday. The first might be seen as a surprise -- offseason free agent pickup Alfonzo Dennard was released.

After that, newly signed tight end Jermaine Gresham was placed on PUP (physically unable to perform). Five months removed from back surgery to repair a herniated disc, it appears he is not yet ready for full football activities.

In another pair of moves, the Cardinals placed tight end Troy Niklas and outside linebacker Zack Wagenmann on the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI). They still count against the 90-man roster, as does Gresham. However, they cannot practice until removed from their respective lists. There is no requirement for how long they can be on the list, so they can be activated as soon as they are healthy.

Wagenmann's injury is his foot, which was well-known. He entered the offseason recovering from a broken foot. It is one reason why he went undrafted. Niklas, though, is new. It is his hamstring that is listed. He had offseason ankle surgery after mini-camp to remove the mesh he had put in when he sprained his ankle last season. It is yet another injury for the second-year player.

The release of Dennard signals either another veteran signing or a comfort level with the young guys they have on the roster after Patrick Peterson, Jerraud Powers and Justin Bethel.