It’s a short inactive list for the Arizona Cardinals in today’s against the Patriots because the team has only 51 players on the active roster after placing punter Blake Gillikin and running back Emari Demercado on injured reserve Saturday.
Most notable is that right tackle Jonah Williams, who was added to the injury report Sunday morning with an illness, is active. Kelvin Beachum is ready in the event Williams experiences any struggles during the game.
The four inactives are players that have been on the list the last few weeks: Tackle Christian Jones, tight end Travis Vokolek, wide receiver Xavier Weaver and defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga.
The Cardinals have all six of their edge rushers active: Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jesse Luketa, Julian Okwara, Victor Dimukeje and Xavier Thomas.
It’s not known why punter Michael Palardy, who was elevated from the practice squad for the game, wasn’t signed to the active roster with Gillikin our for the remainder of the regular season.
The possibility is that it was procedural depending on when the decision was made to place Gillikin on reserve, so it’s expected that Palardy will be signed next week unless he has a poor performance Sunday. He is also the holder for Chad Ryland on placekicks.
For the Patriots, the five players inactive are wide receiver Javon Baker, linebacker Marte Mapu, quarterback Joe Milton III and guards Cole Strange and Tyrese Robinson.
Strange was activated from reserve/physically unable to perform earlier this week.
On a side note, the Cardinals also have only 16 players on the practice squad, including Palardy and internationally exempt tight end Bernhard Seikovits. Offensive lineman Keith Ismael was released when Palardy was signed during the week, while cornerback Divaad Wilson was signed off the practice squad by the Giants to their 53-man roster.
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