The good news was the Cardinals had to find two spots on the 53-man roster Saturday for tight end Jermaine Gresham and defensive end Markus Golden.
Both players have been on the physically-unable-to-perform list as they rehab from injuries -- an Achilles for Gresham, an ACL for Golden -- but now are eligible to return to practice. Whether they are quite able yet remains to be seen -- because they have not been activated until now, they have not practiced since their injuries last season -- but it means the Cards did not want them to have to sit out the first six weeks of the season. Had either remained on the PUP list, they couldn't have returned to practice before Week 7.
Coach Steve Wilks had expressed optimism earlier this week both would be able to come off PUP heading into the season. Gresham suffered his injury Week 17 in Seattle. Golden tore his ACL at home against the 49ers in Week 4.
Because neither have practiced, it's unlikely either are ready to play in the opener against Washington.
At tight end, the Cardinals have Ricky Seals-Jones and Gabe Holmes on their initial 53-man roster besides Gresham, so there is an chance they will add someone to the roster. Defensive end has plenty of options while Golden gets ready. Aside from Pro Bowler Chandler Jones, the Cardinals kept Benson Mayowa, Vontarrius Dora and Jacquies Smith on the roster.
