GLENDALE, AZ - The Arizona Cardinals finalized their 53‑man roster for the 2025 season. Running back Bam Knight earned a spot with a standout preseason performance, while first‑round defensive lineman Walter Nolen III was placed on Reserve/PUP, sidelining him through at least Week 4. In a roster‑management move, long snapper Aaron Brewer was briefly released then quickly re‑signed once Justin Jones landed on injured reserve.
The biggest decisions
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Bam Knight's speed and performance earned him the fourth RB spot, edging out Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas.
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Walter Nolen III was moved to Reserve/PUP due to a calf injury-he, B.J. Ojulari, and Bilal Nichols are all on that list.
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The Aaron Brewer cut was procedural, intended to facilitate IR transactions before he was re‑added to the roster.
Who was cut (August 26):
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Kyon Barrs (DL)
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Aaron Brewer (LS)
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Elliott Brown (LB)
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Jeremiah Byers (OL)
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Michael Carter (RB)
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Jake Curhan (OL)
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DeeJay Dallas (RB)
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Josiah Deguara (TE)
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Simi Fehoko (WR)
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Anthony Goodlow (DL)
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Bryson Green (WR)
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Darren Hall (CB)
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Sincere Haynesworth (OL)
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Jaylon Jones (CB)
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Nick Leverett (OL)
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Royce Newman (OL)
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Tejhaun Palmer (WR)
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Jammie Robinson (S)
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Elijah Simmons (DL)
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Mykal Walker (LB)
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PUP list: Walter Nolen III (DL), B.J. Ojulari (LB), Bilal Nichols (DL)
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IR (return‑designated): Hayden Conner (OL), Christian Jones (OL)
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IR (out): J.J. Russell (LB)
Practice-squad & follow-ups:
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On August 27, the Cardinals signed 13 of the cut players to the practice squad, including:
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Andre Baccellia (WR)
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Elliott Brown (LB)
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Jeremiah Byers (OL)
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Michael Carter (RB)
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Jake Curhan (OL)
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Josiah Deguara (TE)
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Simi Fehoko (WR)
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Anthony Goodlow (DL)
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Darren Hall (CB)
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Sincere Haynesworth (OL)
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Nick Leverett (OL)
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Tejhaun Palmer (WR)
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Elijah Simmons (DL)
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- On August 28, the team also added QB Kedon Slovis, OT Demontrey Jacobs, CB Chigozie Anusiem, and OL Roy Mbaeteka (international exemption) to the practice squad. At the same time, Aaron Brewer re‑joined the active roster and Justin Jones was placed on injured reserve.
Position snapshot
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QBs: Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett
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RBs: James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Bam Knight
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WRs: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zay Jones, Xavier Weaver
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TEs: Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins, Travis Vokolek
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OL: Paris Johnson Jr., Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Isaiah Adams, Jonah Williams, Kelvin Beachum, Jon Gaines, Josh Fryar, Will Hernandez (off PUP)
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DL: Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Darius Robinson, Justin Jones, Dante Stills, P.J. Mustipher, L.J. Collier (Nolen, Nichols on PUP)
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OLB: Josh Sweat, Baron Browning, Zaven Collins, Jordan Burch, Xavier Thomas (Ojulari on PUP)
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ILB: Mack Wilson, Akeem Davis‑Gaither, Cody Simon, Owen Pappoe
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CB: Garrett Williams, Max Melton, Will Johnson, Elijah Jones, Denzel Burke, Kei'Trel Clark
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S: Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Dadrion Taylor‑Demerson, Joey Blount, Kitan Crawford
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Specialists: Kicker Chad Ryland, Punter Blake Gillikin; long snapper spot to be filled once Brewer is re-signed
What it means
The cut-down was dramatic-Bam Knight's inclusion is a big surprise, multiple veterans were moved to IR or PUP, and the practice squad retains much of the cut talent to keep development close. Team turnover at the margins is almost certain heading toward Week 1.
