The Cardinals signed veteran offensive lineman Khalif Barnes Tuesday.
After losing a veteran on the line, the Cardinals have signed a veteran.
Long-time NFL tackle Khalif Barnes was brought in Tuesday to help plug the holes injuries have created on the offensive line. To make room on the roster, tackle Jared Veldheer – whose injury necessitated Barnes' arrival – was officially placed on injured reserve.
Barnes, 35, was originally a second-round pick of the Jaguars in 2005. He has played both tackle positions in the NFL as well as guard. He has started 117 games in his career, playing for the Jaguars from 2005 through 2008, and then the Raiders from 2009 through 2015. In 2016, he spend time with the Saints but did not appear in any games, and was with New Orleans – and new teammate Adrian Peterson – in the preseason this year before being cut prior to the regular season.
Coach Bruce Arians said the plan was to play rookie Will Holden at left tackle with Veldheer down, although he did allow that the Cardinals would make some roster moves. Whether Barnes would have a chance to come in and play right away is a question. Earl Watford did so when he re-signed this year, but Watford had already spent his career in Arians' system.
Regardless, the Cardinals will start their seventh different offensive line this season in only 14 games when they play in Washington Sunday.
As it stands, the lineup would be Holden at left tackle, Alex Boone at left guard, A.Q. Shipley at center, Evan Boehm at right guard and John Wetzel at right tackle.
