Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes will return after playing well in 2017.
Veteran linebacker Josh Bynes has re-signed with the Cardinals on a three-year deal, the team announced Friday.
Bynes wasn't added to the fold until the middle of training camp last season but made quick strides. He survived the roster cutdown and was a valuable fill-in when money linebacker Deone Bucannon dealt with injuries. Bynes finished the season with 34 tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and five passes defensed.
Bynes, who will be 29 next season, rejoins an inside linebacker group which also includes the talented duo of Bucannon and last year's first-round pick, Haason Reddick.
"Glad to be back in Red and Black," Bynes tweeted on Wednesday.
The Cardinals also released defensive lineman Josh Mauro. He finished last season with 26 tackles and a sack. Mauro had been with the team since 2014, starting 26 games in that span.
The Cardinals' top defensive linemen are now Corey Peters, Olsen Pierre, Robert Nkemdiche and Rodney Gunter. Xavier Williams is a restricted free agent who was tendered an offer by the team. Veteran Frostee Rucker is an unrestricted free agent.
It's unclear at this point whether the Cardinals plan to run a 3-4 or 4-3 base defense. If coach Steve Wilks' alignment includes four down linemen, edge rushers Chandler Jones and Markus Golden figure to join the group.
Offensive lineman Vinston Painter also re-signed on a one-year deal. Painter bounced between the practice squad and active roster a season ago and is expected to battle for a roster spot as a reserve on the line.
Additionally, the Cardinals were awarded Jeremy Cash on a waiver claim from the Browns. The third-year linebacker began his career with the Panthers in 2016 when Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb were there.