Cutdown to the 53-man roster has begun.
The Arizona Cardinals are releasing Andre Branch, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cardinals are releasing veteran Andre Branch, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2019
The 30-year-old pass rusher was signed last month after the team released Matt Longacre. Although he recorded a sack in his first preseason game with the Cardinals, Branch has been a non-factor ever since.
He finished the 2019 preseason with three tackles and a sack. He did not register a tackle in yesterday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Cardinals made a couple moves over the last month that made it difficult for Branch to climb up the depth chart. Brooks Reed was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and the team claimed Jeff Holland off of waivers from the Broncos. Pete Robertson has been the most impressive linebacker on the Cardinals during training camp and the preseason.
The Cardinals have a lot of quality players as it is at the outside linebacker position. Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs are entrenched as the starters. Reed and Robertson are the likely candidates to make the final roster.
Despite Branch’s release, he would bring significant NFL experience with any team looking for a quality backup pass rusher. He has a career total of 188 tackles and 25.5 sacks.