Among the final cuts for the Cardinals to get to a 53-man roster was defensive tackle Red Bryant.
Every year, Bruce Arians sounds a similar warning as the Cardinals make their final decisions for a 53-man roster at the end of the preseason.
"Don't celebrate too quick," Arians said Friday.
The waiver wire looms, and trades are never out of the question. But for a moment in time Saturday, the Cards picked their
initial roster for 2016, needing to shave 23 players off the team that played the Broncos Thursday night (because they acquired cornerback Marcus Cooper in trade with the Chiefs Friday).
Among the notable names released including quarterback Matt Barkley – the Cardinals will go with two quarterbacks on the active roster – defensive tackle Red Bryant and safety Chris Clemons.
Among the "surprise" players to make the 53 thus far include undrafted rookie linebacker Lamar Louis and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre. Pierre sticking around means the Cardinals kept nine defensive linemen.
The full list of cuts:
QB Matt Barkley
C Taylor Boggs
CB Cariel Brooks
DT Red Bryant
WR Marquis Bundy
LB Donald Butler
S Chris Clemons
T Rob Crisp
S Matthias Farley
WR Brittan Golden
CB Trevon Hartfield
WR Chris Hubert
G Antoine McClain
CB Harlan Miller
TE Ifeanyi Momah
RB Elijhaa Penny
T Given Price
LB Shaq Riddick
WR Jaxon Shipley
TE Hakeem Valles
RB Kerwynn Williams
CB Ronald Zamort
The Cardinals also waived-injured LB Tristan Okpalaugo (knee).
Claims on the waiver wire begin Sunday, and practice squad creation will last through the weekend. Among the possibilities to bring back to the Cards' practice squad – assuming they are not claimed elsewhere – are Barkley, McClain, Hubert, Miller, Penny, Shipley, Zamort, Riddick and Momah.
Arians said he isn't personally involved in every cut, but if a veteran he knows well is going to be released, the coach said he is the one who delivers the news.
"That's the hardest part of this business," Arians said.
The Cardinals return to the practice field Tuesday. They open the regular season Sept. 11 at home on "Sunday Night Football" against the New England Patriots.
Images from the Cardinals' final preseason game of 2016 against the Broncos on Thursday night
WR Larry Fitzgerald congratulates J.J. Nelson after he caught a touchdown pass
WR J.J. Nelson catches a touchdown
RB Kerwynn Williams carries the ball
S Matthias Farley tackles Broncos WR Jordan Taylor
WR Larry Fitzgerald warms up pre-game but didn't play
CB Patrick Peterson and head coach Bruce Arians prior to the start of Thursday's game
Broncos NT Darius Kilgo forces a fumble on QB Matt Barkley
CB Patrick Peterson arrives prior to the preseason game
DT Frostee Rucker
QB Matt Barkley
Head coach Bruce Arians arrives before the preseason game against the Broncos
DT Calais Campbell
DT Josh Mauro and LB Alex Okafor sack QB Paxton Lynch
QB Carson Palmer talks with QB Drew Stanton
Rookie DT Robert Nkemdiche rushes the passer
WR J.J. Nelson scores a touchdown
QB Matt Barkley warms up
RB Elijhaa Penny
LB Chandler Jones and DT Calais Campbell
DT Rodney Gunter and rookie DT Robert Nkemdiche tackle Broncos QB Paxton Lynch
CB Ronald Zamort waits for Broncos RB Kapri Bibbs
QB Matt Barkley
WR J.J. Nelson
TE Hakeem Valles
GM Steve Keim (left) with Broncos GM John Elway
WR Marquis Bundy celebrates with WR Jaxon Shipley after his touchdown
QB Matt Barkley
S Tyrann Mathieu before the game
WR Larry Fitzgerald and CB Patrick Peterson
RB Elijhaa Penny
TE Ifeanyi Momah
K Chandler Catanzaro drills a 59-yard field goal
DT Frostee Rucker, DT Corey Peters and DT Calais Campbell
Head coach Bruce Arians
QB Matt Barkley
WR Jaxon Shipley
K Chandler Catanzaro celebrates after making a 59-yard field goal
TE Hakeem Valles makes a catch
WR Marquis Bundy goes up for the catch
LB Chandler Jones congratulates K Chandler Catanzaro after his made field goal
LB Gabe Martin picks Broncos QB Paxton Lynch
RB Elijhaa Penny celebrates after scoring a 1-yard touchdown
