The Arizona Cardinals announced on Wednesday that they have placed lineman Jackson Barton on injured reserve and re-signed offensive lineman Austen Pleasants to their practice squad.
This move follows Barton’s elevation from the practice squad, which allowed him to make his first NFL start during the team’s recent 20-13 loss to the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, Barton suffered a toe injury in the fourth quarter of that game, forcing him to leave the field.
Before this recent game, Barton had participated in a total of 10 NFL games, including two with the Cardinals in the current season. He was originally drafted in the seventh round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2019.
In response to Barton’s injury, the Cardinals have brought back Pleasants, who was with the team during the offseason and preseason. Pleasants had been released in August as part of the roster cutdown to the final 53 players.
Since joining the league in 2020, Pleasants has seen limited action, playing in two games—one with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and another with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. His return to the Cardinals adds depth to the offensive line as they deal with injuries.
The team is actively working to fill gaps in their roster as they prepare for upcoming games, indicating a commitment to maintaining competitiveness despite player setbacks. The coaching staff will be monitoring the situation closely, especially regarding Barton’s recovery timeline and Pleasants’ role moving forward. The Cardinals continue to make strategic decisions to strengthen their lineup, hoping to mitigate the impact of injuries on their season.
