According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Desmond Ridder rejoined the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday following his unexpected release on Tuesday, joining the practice squad. After Clayton Tune defeated the former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, the quarterback was cut.
“Source: Desmond Ridder, quarterback, is being re-signed by the Cardinals to the practice squad.”
This summer, Ridder was traded by the Atlanta Falcons to the Cardinals in exchange for Rondale Moore, a wide receiver. Even though Ridder is currently on the team’s practice squad, Arizona knew what they were receiving in Ridder, despite the opinions of many doubters who feel that one side won the trade.
In 2023, franchise quarterback Kyler Murray made a successful recovery from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for almost a year. Therefore, it was critical to add depth at quarterback during the offseason. As a team, you have to be ready for everything, even though Arizona doesn’t anticipate another freak injury. That’s why having Ridder as a safety option on the practice squad is a huge victory for the team.
Is there a chance Desmond Ridder can improve with the Cardinals?
In the three preseason games against the Cardinals, Ridder completed 20 of 35 pass attempts for 225 yards, demonstrating flashes of his potential. He and Tune engaged in a fierce duel with no obvious winner. Nevertheless, it’s critical to keep in mind why the Falcons selected Ridder in the third round. He was unstoppable while at Cincinnati, when he led the Bearcats to an undefeated season and won the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year award in 2020 and 2021.
Ridder didn’t develop as swiftly as the Falcons had anticipated when they selected him in the draft. Consequently, discrepancies persisted. Ridder’s case was not aided by issues with forced interceptions, needless sacks, or fumbles. The Falcons traded their 2022 third-round selection to Kirk Cousins, an experienced quarterback, this year.
With Murray as his mentor and a previous Heisman Trophy winner, Ridder may benefit from a fresh start with the Cardinals. It would be interesting to see if he can make the most of his time in Arizona because he will also be in a setting where he can develop by working behind the scenes.
Michael Carter rejoins the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
Fans of the Arizona Cardinals may relax.
The Arizona Cardinals are adding Michael Carter back to the practice squad after much wringing over his release yesterday during their final cutdowns.
Michael Carter is signing back with the Cardinals practice squad.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) August 28, 2024
The rookie running back’s release alarmed some fans, but they should have understood after a strong preseason that it would be difficult to squeeze him into the running back room on the initial 53-man roster.
Rather, at a more affordable cost, the Cardinals are able to add Carter to the practice squad—someone they like and want back in the fold.
Carter played in six games for the Arizona Cardinals the previous season, gaining 149 yards on 22 carries at a clip of 6.8 yards per carry.
Carter has never had a problem carrying the ball, but in the NFL, he is more of a third-down back, and the Cardinals’ running back room didn’t have a position for him—at least not right now.
Michael, welcome back.
