The Arizona Cardinals made two practice squad activations ahead of Week 16.
ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals have elevated offensive lineman Jackson Barton and running back Michael Carter to the active roster from the practice squad as standard elevations ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
This comes on the heels of Trey Benson (ankle), Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), Jesse Luketa (thigh), Mack Wilson Sr. (concussion), Elijah Jones (ankle) and Matt Prater (knee) being ruled out.
All of Evan Brown (neck), DeeJay Dallas (illness), Roy Lopez (ankle) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (hand) are questionable.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon says the team can’t overlook the Panthers and their three wins on the year:
“We know the challenge ahead going to Carolina on the road. I really think when you look (at) their last six games, they’ve played really good ball. I think they’ve turned the corner. I think (Panthers Head) Coach (Dave) Canals is doing a really good job. He’s got good coordinators in there, they’re creative and they’ve got talent on all three phases, so we’re going to have to play good ball going there,” said Gannon.
“You look at it, they won two then hit the BYE. I think that Kansas City was a one-score game, Tampa was a one score game and Philly was a one score game–those are all playoff teams. This team’s turned the corner and they’re doing good so we’re going to have to play our brand of ball (to) have a chance to win.”
Cardinals-Panthers will kickoff at 11:00 AM Arizona time on Sunday.
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‘Just doing my job’: Baron Browning making strides in Cardinals’ system after midseason trade
On Nov. 3, Baron Browning was taking defensive snaps for the Denver Broncos in Baltimore. A trade and five games later and the 25-year-old linebacker is contributing to an Arizona Cardinals’ playoff push.
The 6-foot-3 Ohio State product simply got his feet wet under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis in a 31-6 win against the New York Jets (18 snaps, two quarterback pressures), but has begun to play a more significant role. Browning mastered the New England Patriots’ offensive line last Sunday, getting to rookie quarterback Drake Maye for his first sack of 2024. He also had two tackles for a loss in the 30-17 victory that moved Arizona to 5-3 at State Farm Stadium and 7-7 on the season.
Besides knowing pass rusher Jesse Luketa and offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Browning told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday that he was shipped to Glendale without any real connections.
“This is my first time going through (being traded), so it was pretty difficult,” Browning said. “As the days went on, I kind of filled in more and more, so I feel more comfortable with my new team and my teammates.”
And Browning has reason to feel comfortable rushing the opposing quarterback, as he is now one of 16 Cardinal defenders to have at least one sack. Dante Stills (4.5 sacks) remains the categorical leader despite not wrapping up a signal caller since Week 12 versus Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks. LJ Collier keeps the sack race an open one with 3.5, with three coming in the team’s recent road trip to Seattle and Minnesota.
Through five games, Browning has now logged 134 snaps and recorded nine total tackles alongside 12 quarterback pressures. He has fired off the ball at least 30 times in three of the past four games.
“It’s pretty cool to have a full-circle moment and finally have the opportunity to play for him and (coach Jonathan Gannon),” Browning said.
Gannon is undoubtedly a defensive coach but Browning said he thinks the 41-year-old’s energy brings out a great response from the entire team.
Baron Browning and Cardinals defense will be asked to fill gaps
Down both Mack Wilson Sr. and Luketa with the Carolina Panthers up next, Browning said the defense has to embrace a “next man up” mentality and trust their depth. Linebacker Milo Eifler was brought up from the practice squad with Luketa placed on injured reserve Friday. Luketa’s absence makes it a trio (also BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck) of pass disrupters to find themselves on the IR.
With their postseason firmly on life support, Xavier Thomas and Owen Pappoe will be asked to step up their contributions. Thomas has seen his fair share of action this season, taking 160 snaps across 11 games, not far behind Luketa who has 188 snaps in 10, according to Pro Football Focus. The same can’t be said of Pappoe, who has only gotten 103 snaps behind Wilson (48.1 snaps per game over all 14 games) at inside linebacker.
With or without key defensive pieces, Browning said they can’t take Carolina (3-11) lightly.
“They’ve been losing pretty close games, so honestly I think they have a good team and they know how to make plays with the guys they have,” Browning said. “I feel like Bryce (Young), he’s getting more comfortable back there and he plays with confidence. … You got to prepare the same way no matter who you’re playing.”
“That’s a question for the (defensive coordinator),” Browning said. “I focus on doing my job at a high level.”
The former Buckeye said he will keeping tabs on the College Football Playoff, as Ohio State hosts Tennessee in the first round at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
“I think we’re going to get it done,” Browning said. “Fingers crossed.”
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