The Arizona Cardinals are set to sign outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins to their practice squad, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Additionally, cornerback and special teams player Keion Crossen will also join the practice squad, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
To make room for these additions, the Cardinals released tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants on Tuesday. Kicker Chad Ryland has been signed to the active roster, while veteran kicker Matt Prater has been placed on injured reserve.
Perkins was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft after playing at Oklahoma, where he was teammates with Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in 2018. However, he did not make his NFL debut until 2023 with the Denver Broncos after spending the entire 2021 season on injured reserve and missing the 2022 season. He gained attention during the 2023 preseason when he vomited at the line of scrimmage and still managed to make a tackle.
During his time with the Broncos, Perkins appeared in seven games, logging 149 defensive snaps and 21 on special teams. He recorded 13 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and a quarterback hit, but did not register any sacks. The Broncos waived him in August due to an injury designation, and now at 25, he finds a new opportunity with a team looking to strengthen its pass rush.
Crossen brings 75 games of NFL experience from four teams, having been drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round in 2018. As a rookie, he primarily contributed on special teams for the Super Bowl-winning Patriots. After two trades, he last played for the Miami Dolphins in 2022, where he made 32 tackles and deflected four passes over 16 games. Crossen spent the entirety of the 2023 season on injured reserve before being released in the offseason. He will join cornerbacks Jaden Davis and Divaad Wilson on the practice squad.v
