Kendall Wright Returns As Cardinals Bring Back Receiver

Notes: Bradford release comes with need for roster spots

Nov 05, 2018 at 01:11 PM

Darren Urban

azcardinals.com

Wide receiver Kendall Wright snares a pass during practice Monday.

The Cardinals re-signed veteran wide receiver Kendall Wright Monday, filling one of two vacant roster spots as the team returned to practice following the bye week.

The team had two openings after releasing quarterback Sam Bradford and placing offensive lineman John Wetzel (neck) on injured reserve on Saturday. The Cardinals filled the second spot Monday afternoon by signing OL Zack Golditch from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.

Wright was originally signed Oct. 8 in an attempt to bolster the receiving corps. He was released 10 days later, mostly because secondary injuries forced the Cardinals to get defensive back Deatrick Nichols on the active roster. Wright was not active for the one game he was on the roster in Minnesota.

With the week off and those defensive backs returning to health, the Cards brought Wright back. (Safety Tre Boston, dealing with ribs and shoulder issues, was still not taking part in anything beyond stretching on Monday.)

"He shown that in the past (he can play), and that's the reason we keep bringing him back," coach Steve Wilks said. "Hopefully we can give him some opportunities. He's a guy who understands, having been here, some of the things we are talking about terminology-wise."

Wright brings the total number of receivers on the roster to six: Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, Chad Williams, J.J. Nelson, Trent Sherfield and Wright. Wilks acknowledged there could be some depth issues this week -- Williams was wearing a boot in the locker room last week after hurting an ankle against the 49ers.

The Cardinals travel to Kansas City this week to face the 8-1 Chiefs.

LETTING BRADFORD GO

Wilks said the decision to release quarterback Sam Bradford over the weekend was mostly about opening a roster spot given the injuries the Cardinals have begun to suffer, creating the ability to sign players at another position. Bradford wasn't going to be active as a third quarterback.

"Sam is the ultimate pro," Wilks said. "The way he handled the situation ... from day one, I stood up here and said Sam was our quarterback. It was his job to lose, and we gave him every opportunity. When I made the decision to move forward with Josh (Rosen), he didn't waver in his commitment to the team. He still worked hard every day and did everything he could to try and help mentor that room.

"It was the decision we felt was best for this team."

INJURY UPDATE

While Wilks said he wouldn't get into injury details -- an official injury report isn't required until Wednesday -- he was optimistic most if not all of the banged up players would be available by Sunday, noting that Boston was "looking good." Besides Boston and Williams, defensive tackle Corey Peters was also working on the side in the open portion of practice.

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