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Cardinals sign outside linebacker in wake of BJ Ojulari injury

© Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of BJ Ojulari’s ACL tear, the Arizona Cardinals have brought in help at the outside linebacker position.

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The team announced Tuesday that it signed veteran edge rusher Marquis Haynes Sr., as well as cornerback Delonte Hood, to one-year deals.

KPRC 2 Houston’s NFL insider Aaron Wilson was the first to report the news.

After playing collegiately at Ole Miss, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Haynes was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers and remained in Carolina until last season, appearing in 71 games (only two starts) and recording 99 career tackles and 14 sacks. In 2023, Haynes had 16 tackles and a sack in seven games (one start).

Haynes, 30, will be entering his seventh NFL season next year and has been an unrestricted free agent since March.

Ojulari suffered his ACL tear last Friday in practice and coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Saturday that the second-year linebacker would miss the entirety of the 2024 season. The Cardinals placed Ojulari on injured reserve Monday, giving the team two open roster spots, which they have now filled with Haynes and Hood.

In Arizona’s first official depth chart of the 2024 preseason, Dennis Gardeck and Zaven Collins were the team’s two starting outside linebackers with Jesse Luketa and Victor Dimukeje as the top backups. Now, Haynes will look to make his presence felt and compete for a much-needed position for the Cardinals.

Cardinals reportedly sign former XFL star Delonte Hood

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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