The deadline for NFL teams to make cuts to get down to the 53-man roster is quickly approaching.
The Arizona Cardinals have some big decisions to make at that NFL roster cut deadline.
What will the team do?
Follow our 2025 Arizona Cardinals live roster cuts updates tracker for news, reports, rumors, speculation and more on the NFL team’s moves at the deadline for NFL teams to trim their roster for the regular season.
Running backs and linebackers are two positions to monitor, and intrigue surrounds some other looming roster decisions for the team as it gets down to the 53-player limit.
The Cardinals have cut their first 12 players.
The team announced Monday that it had released the following players ahead of the deadline on Tuesday to have its roster down to 53 players.
QB Clayton Tune was among the player’s cut, meaning the team is going with just Kyler Murray and Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.
Wide receiver Andre BaccelliaCornerback Ekow Boye-DoeTight end Oscar CardenasOffensive lineman McClendon CurtisCornerback Steven GilmoreDefensive lineman Patrick JenkinsLinebacker Vi JonesOffensive lineman Roy MbaetekaWide receiver Nate McCollumQuarterback Clayton TuneOffensive lineman Dohnovan WestLinebacker Benton Whitley
The team could attempt to sign some of the players to its practice squad.
The Republic’s Theo Mackie made his projections for the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster ahead of cut day in the NFL.
At running back, he has the Cardinals keeping Trey Benson, Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas to back up James Conner.
He wrote: “This is one of the more intriguing decisions the Cardinals face. Realistically, they have three backs vying for the final two roster spots. Last season, Emari Demercado had a key role as a trusted third-down back, both for his work in pass protection and as a receiver. But with Benson’s development in those areas, that role might not be as significant this year. Then there’s Carter, who seems to seize every opportunity he gets, as he did with a 38-yard run against the Raiders. The final piece to the puzzle is Dallas, who has a minimal role on offense but is the Cardinals’ preferred return man. Any of the three could realistically be the odd man out.”
Cards Wire’s Jess Root took a look at the role injuries could play in the Cardinals’ 53-man roster.
He wrote: “They have several injured players whose standing will impact that final 53. Will they start the season on injured reserve and be designated to return? Will they be out the whole season? Will they need to carry an injured player on the roster? What about the PUP list?”
Sports Illustrated’s Donnie Druin took a look at three players that he thinks earned a spot on the Cardinals’ 53-man roster.
The players? WR Simi Fehoko, OLB Xavier Thomas and CB Elijah Jones.
He wrote of Fehoko: “Depth at wide receiver has been an underrated position battle entering training camp. With names such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Zay Jones and Greg Dortch cementing spots among the top four, not much room was left for guys underneath. Faces in Tejhaun Palmer, Xavier Weaver, Simi Fehoko and Andre Baccellia (plus more) were battling for the final one or two spots remaining on the roster, though after (last preseason game) performance – Fehoko should sleep safe and sound after a ten-yard touchdown reception on fourth down and two tackles on special teams.”
Cards Wire’s Jess Root looked at three Cardinals that deserve to make the team, but probably won’t.
The three? RB Michael Carter, DL P.J. Mustipher and OLB Xavier Thomas.
He wrote of Carter: “Carter is a fan favorite and is also well respected by head coach Jonathan Gannon. He also makes plays every opportunity he is given. However, as talented as he is, his value is only as a starting or complementary back. He isn’t as good as James Conner as a starter. The team believes Trey Benson is a legitimate co-No. 1 RB. Carter isn’t as good as a third-down back as Emari Demercado, and he isn’t as good on special teams than Demercado or DeeJay Dallas, and Dallas is the team’s primary kick returner.”
Sports Illustrated’s Richie Bradshaw wrote about three Cardinals players who could benefit from being traded and having a fresh start with another team.
The players? RB Michael Carter, OL Royce Newman and OLB Xavier Thomas.
He wrote of Thomas: “Third-round pick Jordan Burch has been outstanding, and I doubt the team is moving on from Zaven Collins. As for the rest of the room, no one provides legitimate trade value besides Thomas. Of the few players we named, Thomas feels as though he has some legitimate value, and it could lead to several teams inquiring about his services.”
The deadline for NFL teams to trim their roster is at 1 p.m. MST (4 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
The roster cuts that reduce teams to 53 players aren’t the end for NFL teams adjusting their rosters.
Teams have until 9 a.m. MST Wednesday (noon ET) to claim players who were waived from other teams. Those claims go through a waiver-wire process, leading to more adjustments to each team’s 53-man roster. The Cardinals have the 16th spot in the waiver order, though, which limits their ability to make additions.
NFL teams will then begin filling out their practice squads.
NFL teams are allowed to carry up to 16 players on their practice squad.
Ten of those players can have two or fewer accrued seasons in the league, while a maximum of six can have unlimited NFL service time.
A 17th spot can be used on an international player, which the Cardinals will use on offensive lineman Roy Mbaeteka, who is from Nigeria.
The Cardinals have three running backs competing for two spots down the depth chart at running back. All three have a different profile.
Which two of Michael Carter, Emari Demercado and DeeJay Dallas will make the team?
The Arizona Republic’s Theo Mackie analyzed what each would bring to the team here.
The Cardinals have a lot of questions at linebacker after Mack Wilson, Sr.
What do we know about free-agent acquisition Akeem Davis-Gaither, rookie Cody Simon, Owen Pappoe and Mykal Walker’s status on the team’s roster?
Mackie took a look at the position ahead of the cut-downs for the Cardinals here.
Cornerback Elijah Jones, a 2024 fourth-round NFL Draft picks of Arizona’s, is fighting for his place on the roster, as is 2024 fifth-round pick Xavier Thomas, an edge rusher.
What are the duo’s prospects for making the team?
Mackie broke down their chances here.
The Cardinals could have a big decision looming between Kitan Crawford and Joey Blount at safety and special teams.
Both players are most valuable for their work on special teams and would begin the season as depth pieces on defense.
Mackie broke down what to know about the potential battle for one of the Cardinals’ final roster spots here.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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