TEMPE — Roster cuts are part of the NFL’s job.
But that doesn’t make head coaching easier. Arizona Cardinals head coach Cliff Kingsbury has a lot to offer.
The deadline for reducing the NFL team roster count threshold to the 53-person threshold at 1 p.m. Tuesday has passed. Across the league now, he has more than 850 players looking for a new home or wanting to return to the practice squad.
If there’s ever a time you shouldn’t be jealous of an NFL head coach, it’s now.
“It’s tough. It’s been the worst two days on the job, without a doubt,” Kingsbury said Tuesday. “There are a lot of great men, a lot of great people who deserve it, but there are some deep rooms and sometimes the numbers just don’t make sense. It’s never fun.”
#AZ Cardinals Head coach Cliff Kingsbury said of the final 53-man roster cut:
“It was definitely the worst two days on the job. Lots of great men, great people who deserve it, but there are some deep rooms and sometimes the numbers just don’t make sense. pic.twitter.com/0zwtmIXlkF
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 30, 2022
Kingsbury have not taken headcount cuts lightly this year, adding that they intend to use all of their time until 1pm to work out their 53-man roster.
Still, the work isn’t done yet.
The 53-man roster is official, but it’s everywhere as teams continue to consider other free agents and have recently cut players. Also, there is a practice team that needs to be filled out. Also, don’t forget the short-term injury reserves that teams can use to their advantage.
“There are two or three players we are considering as options,” Kingsbury said. “It’s a lot of semantics to try and move a guy here and cut a guy a day. think.”
#AZ Cardinals Head coach Cliff Kingsbury said on whether there are short-term IR candidates on the roster and the flexibility that comes with designation: pic.twitter.com/to8tc3H5ym
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 30, 2022
What Jonathan Ward and Antoine Wesley Think Every Day
According to Kingsbury, the two players who broke the starting 53-man roster in running back Jonathan Ward and wide receiver Antoine Wesley are being considered on a daily basis.
Ward has been dealing with shoulder issues and is in doubt heading into next week, while Wesley is still dealing with a hip/groin injury that has sidelined him for most of training camp and all of the preseason.
“(Wesleys) has made great strides, but I don’t know when it will unwind,” Kingsbury said.
Kingsbury disappointed with Antonio Hamilton
Another name worth noting is cornerback Antonio Hamilton, who suffered an undisclosed injury last week.
The cornerback was named the starter opposite Byron Murphy Jr. before an unexpected injury.
“It’s disappointing for him, just the path he’s taken, how he’s worked and the level he’s been playing at,” Kingsbury said Monday. “You hate to see it and you want him to stay involved and come back and not miss a beat.
“But more than anything else, I think it’s disappointing for him just because he got the starting role at that position after basically flying around a lot of teams. He’ll be back sooner or later.” I hope so, but we’ll see.”
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