Cardinals place James Conner on IR among their moves to 53

The Cardinals reached 53 players on Sunday afternoon.

Their moves included placing running back James Conner on injured reserve with a designation to return. He will miss at least the first four games before returning to game action as he works his way back from last season’s ankle injury.

The Cardinals also announced the release of 2023 second-round pick linebacker BJ Ojulari, who has not been the same since a serious training camp knee injury in 2024. Eku Leota made the team over Ojulari.

Veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was also released, a sign that slot starter Garrett Williams is nearing his return. Williams was recently removed from the active/PUP list after coming back from an Achilles injury.

The Cardinals kept three quarterbacks for the first time in a long time, with Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II and Carson Beck making the roster.

The Cardinals released or waived LB Eugene Asante, S Devyn Bobby, TE Shawn Bowman, LB Elliott Brown, P Jack Browning, S Hudson Clark, CB Elijah Culp, OL Ka’ena De Cambra, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, DL Cam Horsley, RB Evan Hull,
OL Demontrey Jacobs, OL Christian Jones, CB Elijah Jones, CB Kalen King, DL Brodric Martin-Rhodes, CB Quinton Newsome, S Isaiah Oliver, LB Owen Pappoe, OL Matt Pryor, TE Teagan Quitoriano, LB Cam Robertson, OL Valentin Senn (expected international exemption), QB Kedon Slovis, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, DL Kevion’ta Spears, RB Tre Stewart,
CB Starling Thomas V, OL Oli Udoh, WR Tre Wallace, DL Damonic Williams and DL Jonah Williams.

Like Conner, defensive lineman Zach Carter (knee) was placed on IR with a designation to return.

Tight end Tip Reiman will begin the season on reserve/PUP.

Safety Josh Minkins was waived with an injury designation.