TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Cardinals took their sweet time announcing their roster cuts. None were announced on Friday and none were announced until three hours after the deadline for trimming their roster to 53 had passed on Saturday.
Here are the 22 players who won't be on the 53-man active roster.
RB Zack Bauman
LB Marcus Benard
C/G Philip Blake
LB Jonathan Brown
WR Dan Buckner
C John Estes
DT Bruce Gaston
WR Brittan Golden
TE Andre Hardy
CB Jimmy Legree
CB Bryan McCann
T Kelvin Palmer
RB Jalen Parmele
DT Isaac Sopoaga
G/C Anthony Steen
S Curtis Taylor
LB Adrian Tracy
DT Christian Tupou
S Anthony Walters
CB Teddy Williams
Injury settlement -- T Nate Potter (shoulder)
IR -- CB Eddie Whitley (foot)
Not many of the names on the list were surprises, but there were a few interesting outcomes.
The Cards kept six receivers, choosing to hold onto to Jaron Brown and Walt Powell.
Arizona only kept eight defensive backs (four cornerbacks), including Tyrann Mathieu, who may not play in the season opener. That could mean some additions once the staff sifts through the waiver wire.
Rookie Glenn Carson beat out Marcus Benard for the last spot at outside linebacker while recent signing Desmond Bishop made the team at inside linebacker.
The Cardinals kept journeyman offensive tackle Bradley Sowell for now, but it would not be surprising if they found someone else on the waiver wire to replace him. Coach Bruce Arians was none too pleased with his and Nate Potter's performance in Thursday's preseason finale.
"Average at best," Arians said. "Both gave up too much pressure. Mental errors. Disappointed."
Here is the breakdown of remaining players at the other positions.
Offensive line (8): Jared Veldheer, Jonathan Cooper, Lyle Sendlein, Paul Fanaika, Bobby Massie, Earl Watford, Ted Larsen, Bradley Sowell.
Quarterbacks (3): Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, Logan Thomas.
Running backs (4): Andre Ellington, Jonathan Dwyer, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes.
Tight ends (4): John Carlson, Rob Housler, Troy Niklas, Darren Fells.
Wide receivers (6): Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Ted Ginn, John Brown, Jaron Brown, Walt Powell.
Defensive line (7): Frostee Rucker, Dan Williams, Calais Campbell, Alameda Ta'amu, Ed Stinson, Kareem Martin, Tommy Kelly.
Outside linebackers (5): Sam Acho, Matt Shaughnessy, John Abraham, Alex Okafor, Glenn Carson.
Inside linebackers (5): Kevin Minter, Larry Foote, Lorenzo Alaxander, Kenny Demens, Desmond Bishop
Cornerbacks (4): Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie, Jerraud Powers, Justin Bethel.
Safeties (4): Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson, Deone Bucannon.
Specialists (3): K Chandler Catanzaro, P Dave Zastudil, LS Mike Leach.
Keep in mind that the practice squad has expanded to 10 players and the restrictions on eligibility have loosened so many of these players could stick around.
MATHIEU'S PLAYING PROPSECTS
When asked Friday if safety Tyrann Mathieu still has a chance to play in the season opener on Sept. 8 after missing the Cardinals' final preseason game on Thursday (and all four overall) coach Bruce Arians said: "He's going to tackle somebody this week. We'll see after he tackles somebody."
When asked whom Mathieu might have the honor of tackling in practice next week, with only one padded practice scheduled, Arians quipped: "That's what practice squad is for."
Mathieu said Thursday that he hoped Arians was kidding when he said the second-year pro needed to play in Thursday's preseason game in order to play in the opener, but Arians smiled while shooting that one down.
"I wasn't kidding," he said. "Let's see how he tackles, though."
While Arians didn't close the door on Mathieu's return for Week 1, his responses weren't exactly optimistic.
WEEK 1 HOPEFULS
Arians said linebacker Kevin Minter (pectoral) looked rusty but flew around the field on Thursday. Arians also thought left guard Jonathan Cooper (turf toe) improved as the game wore on. Arians said both players, along with Mathieu and nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu need more practice time coming off injuries.
QUOTABLE
Arians on QB Logan Thomas: "He's a project just like we thought. He has ups and downs, 'wow' throws, 'Oh sh**' throws. I think he's got a good future."
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