Two players are out and two new faces are in on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad after a flurry of roster adjustments this past weekend. Wide receiver Xavier Weaver and safety Josh Minkins were both waived with injury settlements, clearing the way for offensive guard Vershon Lee and defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte to join the squad. It’s a whirlwind of cuts and signings, and even in early September, rosters are never truly final.
The Surprising Departures
The biggest head-scratcher here has to be Xavier Weaver getting the axe. The guy looked like he was set to stick around, making the final roster back in 2024 after going undrafted out of Colorado. He proved he could contribute, playing in 12 games with two starts and showing off his return abilities with two kickoff returns for 51 yards. To see him waived, even with an injury settlement, is a tough blow for a player who seemed to have found his footing in Arizona. Then there’s Josh Minkins, another player waived with an injury settlement. Minkins was known for his special teams tackling ability, which is always valuable. He was a key piece in the Orlando Storm’s secondary in the UFL this past spring, racking up 39 tackles and two pass breakups. Bringing in UFL talent usually signals a team is looking for a hidden gem, and Minkins clearly had that potential.
New Faces Ready to Grind
With Weaver and Minkins out, the Cardinals didn’t waste any time bringing in new talent for the practice squad. They signed offensive guard Vershon Lee and defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte. Lee, a big offensive lineman at 6’4″ and 318 pounds, went undrafted last year out of South Carolina, where he played right tackle. He’s been on a bit of a journey, working for three different teams before landing with the Minnesota Vikings. He made their practice squad, got elevated to the main roster in early October, then was released two days later, only to re-sign to the practice squad. Even after a good camp this year, he was a final cut. Talk about a rollercoaster!
Jared Harrison-Hunte, standing at 6’4″ and 294 pounds, played three seasons for Miami before graduating from SMU. Undrafted in 2025, he signed with the Carolina Panthers and spent time on their practice squad, even getting elevated to their main roster in early November. Like Lee, he was a final cutdown this year, meaning both these guys have been right on the bubble before.
These are early season moves, but they show the team is always looking to tweak and improve. Arizona fans will want to keep an eye on how Lee and Harrison-Hunte develop on the practice squad. Who knows, maybe one of them gets that call-up to the main roster if injuries hit. It’s a long season, and the grind is just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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