Jan. 10, 2026, 11:12 a.m. MT

The Arizona Cardinals did not make the playoffs. They are in offseason mode looking ahead to making changes on the roster, and they are looking for a new head coach. However, a few former Cardinals players find themselves in the postseason.

On Saturday, the first round of the playoffs kick off with the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Between the Rams and Panthers, there are nine former Cardinals split between their rosters and practice squads.

Who are they?

Rams OT D.J. Humphries

Humphries was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round in 2015 and played for them through 2023. He started 98 games for the Cardinals and was their starting left tackle from 2017-2023.

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He appeared in eight games this season for the Rams and started once.

Rams RB Ronnie Rivers

Rivers signed with the Cardinals as a rookie free agent in 2022 after going undrafted out of Fresno State. He did not make the team and was not brought back to the practice squad. He has been with the Rams for four seasons and is their third-string running back. He also is on the kick return team.

Rams OL Coleman Shelton

The Rams’ starting center spent some time on the Cardinals’ practice squad in 2018 and then was on the offseason roster through training camp in 2019. He has started 66 games at center in the last five seasons.

Rams LB Jesse Luketa

Luketa is on the Rams’ practice squad. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round in 2022 and played three seasons for Arizona.

Rams OL Royce Newman

Newman is also on the Rams’ practice squad. He signed with the Cardinals as a free agent last offseason but did not make the team out of training camp.

Rams LB Ben Niemann

Niemann is also on the practice squad for the Rams. He played one season for the Cardinals in 2022, appearing in all 17 games, starting nine.

Panthers LB Krys Barnes

Barnes played for the Cardinals in 2023-2024, appearing in 33 games and starting six. He played in seven games for the Panthers and started three. He had 23 tackles and a half sack in 2025 for Carolina.

Panthers OL Jake Curhan

Curhan signed with the Cardinals as a free agent last offseason. He did not make the active roster but was signed to the practice squad initially. He was elevated once and appeared in one game before he was signed by the Panthers. He appeared in 13 games and started once.

Panthers S Isaiah Simmons

Simmons was the Cardinals’ first-round pick in 2020 and played for the Cardinals until he was traded before the 2023 season. He signed with the Panthers’ practice squad in November after he was released by the Green Bay Packers and eventually was signed to the active roster. He appeared in five games for Carolina, playing 87 snaps on special teams.

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