Arizona Cardinals Make Roster Moves Ahead of Week 17 Clash with Rams

As the Arizona Cardinals gear up for their Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, the team made several roster moves to help bolster their depth for the final stretch of the season. With injuries continuing to plague the roster, these changes reflect the team’s efforts to stay competitive despite a challenging season.

Roster Moves Ahead of Week 17

The Cardinals announced the following key roster moves:

• Signed offensive lineman Jackson Barton to the active roster from the practice squad.
• Signed linebacker Benton Whitley to the active roster from the New York Giants practice squad.
• Placed offensive linemen Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams on injured reserve.
• Re-signed cornerback Darren Hall to the practice squad.

With both starting offensive tackles, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams, officially on injured reserve, Arizona is left scrambling to fill crucial spots on the offensive line. Head coach Jonathan Gannon had already ruled out both players for the Week 17 matchup against the Rams, though he stopped short of confirming their availability for the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

Jackson Barton to the Starting Line

One of the key moves is the elevation of Jackson Barton to the active roster. The 6-foot-7 offensive lineman is set to play a pivotal role in the final two games of the season. With both Johnson and Williams sidelined, Barton will likely line up opposite Kelvin Beachum Jr., anchoring the right tackle position for the Cardinals. The offensive line has already struggled with consistency this year, and now, with backup tackles filling in, it will be an uphill battle for Arizona to keep their quarterback protected.

Benton Whitley Joins the Active Roster

The Cardinals also signed linebacker Benton Whitley from the New York Giants practice squad. Whitley (6-4, 260) adds much-needed depth to a defense that has dealt with injuries throughout the year. The 25-year-old former Holy Cross standout has experience with the Giants and Vikings, having appeared in six NFL games. Despite going undrafted in 2022, Whitley spent time on the practice squads of several teams, including the Chiefs and Vikings. His college career was impressive, with 111 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 26.5 tackles for loss across 42 games. He’ll look to make an impact in the Cardinals’ defensive rotation as they continue to evaluate their depth moving into 2024.

Darren Hall’s Return

The Cardinals also re-signed cornerback Darren Hall to the practice squad. Hall originally impressed during the preseason, showcasing his versatility in the secondary. The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback was waived earlier this season but is now back with the team after a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Hall will likely provide depth at cornerback and contribute on special teams, adding to the competition in the defensive backfield as the season winds down.

Looking Ahead to the Rams

With both Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams now on injured reserve, the Cardinals will be forced to rely heavily on their backups to finish out the season. Jackson Barton and the rest of the offensive line will have their work cut out for them, especially against a tough Rams defense. Arizona’s offensive line will need to be cohesive and resilient to give quarterback Kyler Murray the protection he needs to make plays.

Meanwhile, the defense will look for contributions from Whitley as they face a Rams offense that has struggled at times this season but can still be dangerous with playmakers like Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp.

As the Cardinals prepare for their Week 17 showdown with the Rams, the focus will be on managing injuries and making the most of the roster changes. The team is already looking ahead to next season, but for now, the priority is closing out the year with strong performances on both sides of the ball.

Stay tuned for the first injury report of the week, which will give more clarity on the status of other key players ahead of the Rams matchup. The Cardinals may be dealing with adversity, but they’ll look to finish the season on a competitive note.