With BJ Ojulari already on the PUP list and Myjai Sanders suffering a hand injury earlier this week, the Cardinals needed to address their thinning outside linebacking corps.
The team on Saturday signed David Anenih, who last was on the Falcons' roster. To make room, the Cardinals released cornerback Dylan Mabin.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said that the Cardinals are evaluating Sanders' injury after he "banged his hand" at Thursday's practice. Gannon also mentioned on the first day of training camp that Ojulari should be available soon.
Gannon said Saturday the team was "still sorting through" Sanders' injury.
While it is unknown when either of those players will return to the field, it is known Anenih has an opportunity. He's a pass rushing linebacker that led the Tennessee Titans – the team that signed the 2022 undrafted free agent out of Houston – in preseason sacks and forced fumbles last season. He has also spent time with the Steelers and Falcons.
Anenih now joins an outside linebackers group low in numbers. Zaven Collins has been transitioning to that new role, while Cameron Thomas -- along with Sanders -- had three sacks last season. Veteran Dennis Gardeck and Victor Dimukeje are also in the mix.
MCCOY'S NO-THROW DAY
With a new coaching staff in the building, veteran quarterback Colt McCoy believes there's a "freshness" about this season.
With that also means keeping his arm fresh.
McCoy didn't throw the football during most drills during Friday's practice. He was back to throwing normally on Saturday.
"When you look at the bulk of training camp and what needs to be done," Gannon said, "we feel comfortable about the plan that we have going (for Colt)."
McCoy did hook up with tight end Noah Togiai for a couple of nice catches on Saturday, but the afternoon stat line for the veteran -- and presumed quarterback for the first preseason game against Denver -- did include a pair of interceptions too.
GANNON PRAISES HIS PLAYERS' ABILITY TO RETAIN INFO
Gannon said he has been happy with the way his players have retained the playbook since the offseason and the subsequent six-week break.
"I told the team I know we compete, and I know we care. I think we pretty much picked up where we left off," Gannon said. "Installation, schematically, all that stuff, you're really, truthfully, mentally kind of there with what you need to know to go play a game."
Kyler Murray, who has been rehabbing his ACL tear, said that he's been doing whatever he can to pick up the playbook.
"I try to get the mental reps and spit out the calls as much as possible and just do as many things as possible," Murray said. "I feel I've been picking up (the playbook) pretty fast, pretty well. I think coaches would say so too."
Tackle D.J. Humphries said for an offensive lineman like himself, it wasn't difficult.
"There's only so many ways you can block power and zone," Humphries said. "When it gets to a certain sense, it's still football. It's still zone. It's still power. It's still counter. We just call it this, versus what we've called it over the last nine years."
