CB Josh Jackson, LB Joe Walker among three cuts formally announced by Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals announced they have released three players ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for all NFL teams to trim their rosters down to the 53-man limit. Hours later, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that the team also is releasing veteran outside linebacker Devon Kennard.

Kennard, 31, was entering his third season with the team and was competing for a starting spot opposite Markus Golden. His release, if true, opens the door for Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, as well as third-round draft picks Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, who each excelled during Arizona’s third and final preseason game at the Titans on Saturday.

Officially released by the team on Monday, meanwhile, were cornerback Josh Jackson, inside linebacker Joe Walker and offensive lineman Koda Martin. Jackson was battling for a backup role behind Byron Murphy Jr., Antonio Hamilton and Marco Wilson. Walker, meanwhile, has been a valuable reserve player who was in his second stint with the franchise after previously playing for Arizona in 2018-19.

Pro Football Network is reporting the Cardinals are also releasing cornerback Jace Whittaker and wide receiver Andre Baccellia. If that turns out to be true, it means the only other cornerback remaining on the roster is rookie Christian Matthew, a seventh-round pick out of Valdosta State.

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Aug 16, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joe Walker (59) drills with running back Jonathan Ward (29, right) during training camp at State Farm Stadium.

It also likely means the Cardinals are closing in on a move for a veteran cornerback via free agency or a trade.

If Whittaker and Baccellia are getting cut, it leaves the Cardinals’ roster at 75 players, meaning 22 players will need to be released by Tuesday’s 1 p.m. (Arizona time) deadline. Tight end Bernhard Seikovits has an international roster exemption and doesn’t count against the final 53-man limit.

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Have an opinion on the Arizona Cardinals? Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com and follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac. Listen to him live on Fox Sports 910-AM every Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals cuts: Josh Jackson, Joe Walker among players released