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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Commanders-Lions playoff game has several Cardinals player connections

The Arizona Cardinals did not make the playoffs this season, but come of their former players did.

The NFL playoffs continue with the divisional round beginning Saturday. The second game on the Saturday schedule has the Washington Commanders on the road against the Detroit Lions. Between the two teams on their rosters, reserves and practice squads, there are six former Cardinals.

Check them out below.

Former Cardinals players on Washington Commanders

  • TE Zach Ertz

The Cardinals traded for Ertz in 2021 and he played until halfway through 2023. He had a good season in 2024, catching 66 passes for 654 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.

  • K Zane Gonzalez

Gonzalez was the Commanders’ kicker for the last six games of the season, making five of seven field goals. He had not kicked in a game since 2021. He was the Cardinals’ kicker from late 2018-2020.

  • CB Bobby Price

Price is on Washington’s practice squad. He played for the Cardinals in 2023.

Former Cardinals players on Detroit Lions

  • LB Ben Niemann

Niemann played one season for the Cardinals in 2022, when he started nine games and played in every game. He played in every game this season for Detroit, logging 295 snaps on special teams and also 179 on defense.

  • LB Trevor Nowaske

Nowaske has bounced between the Lions and Cardinals. He signed as a rookie free agent by the Lions in 2023. The Cardinals claimed him off waivers in December 2023 and he spent all offseason and the preseason with them. He didn’t make the team and then Detroit claimed him.

He played in 14 games for the Lions and started twice. He had an interception and two sacks in the regular season.

  • LB Zeke Turner

Turner spent six seasons with the Cardinals from 2018-2023. After signing with San Francisco in the offseason, he didn’t make the team, and spent time on the practice squads of Houston and Seattle. He signed with the Lions and played in nine games in the regular season, logging 176 special teams snaps and 111 on defense. He had half a sack.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on SpotifyYouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

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