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Per Darren Urban, The Arizona Cardinals made a few roster moves today to reflect their status as a pretty beat-up team following their loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Both Chris Johnson and Tyvon Branch are headed for Injured Reserve with groin injuries and will be out for the remainder of the season.
.@AZCardinals moves: RB CJohnson, S Branch to IR. P Drew Butler cut. Sign RB Kerwynn Williams, promote QB Dysert:https://t.co/mB9lEguY5e
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) October 4, 2016
Johnson finished the season with 25 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown, as he went down with a non-contact injury in the second half of Sunday's game.
This is the second time in two years that Chris Johnson has been sent to IR. While David Johnson is the bellcow, Johnson was set to take some pressure off of him.
UPDATE: Per Mike Garafolo, Chris Johnson might still return this season, depending on the severity of his injury:
As with all players on IR, Cardinals RB Chris Johnson (groin) is eligible to return. That's a possibility, depending on how he recovers.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 4, 2016
Losing Tyvon Branch, who was their starting nickel CB, is a pretty big blow, although that blow might be lessened somewhat as Tyrann Mathieu seems set to return to his natural position.
It couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the team.
Mathieu: it’s time for me to move back to his old spot. "It’s time for me to start making plays." Has he told BA? "I just did." Big smile
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) October 3, 2016
To add depth to their running back room, the Cardinals re-signed frequently "in case of emergency" back Kerwynn Williams back to the active roster. Williams will likely back up Andre Ellington, as he isn't a special teams player or pass-catcher like Stepfan Taylor, but he's more talented as a runner.
The team also promoted QB Zac Dysert to the active roster from the practice squad, a move which gives Stanton a back-up should Palmer not be cleared in time for Thursday night action. He's only been with the team for less than a month, so hopefully his promotion is simply a precaution.
The team also waived Drew Butler, who's been a controversial punter during his time in Arizona, mostly due to a poor punting performance in the 2014 playoffs against Carolina. Those concerns were exacerbated with Arizona's poor special teams play so far this year and the team seemingly releasing 5th round rookie DB Marqui Christian to keep Bulter on the roster, only to see Christian get claimed by the Rams.
The Cardinals have so far through four games stayed relatively healthy, but with losing NIklas, Johnson and Branch in consecutive weeks, as well as Palmer to a concussion, the injuries are seeming to start to stack up for Arizona.
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