Cardinals activate Kitan Crawford to the active roster after IR stint, lifting two practice-squad players

Arizona activated safety Kitan Crawford following his 21-day practice window and also promoted running back Evan Hull and safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad for their regular-season debuts.

By The Apex Times Newsroom1 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Arizona Cardinals activated safety Kitan Crawford to the active roster on Saturday after he completed the 21-day practice window that began earlier in the week following his return from Injured Reserve. The move came with the team having an open roster spot after the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade.

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Crawford looked sharp during his first week back, adding that the team did not have to guess much about how much rust he carried after time away. LaFleur made the comments Friday as Arizona prepared for the weekend game.

In addition to Crawford, Arizona elevated running back Evan Hull and safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad. Both players are expected to make their regular-season debuts with the team.

The activation group is shaped by an unusually thin safety room. Arizona said it would be without Jeremiyah Love due to an ankle injury, and it also expects Andrew “Dewey” Wingard to miss a second straight game after a Week 4 knee injury.

Arizona also listed complications on the defensive backfield beyond Love and Wingard, noting rookie Wydett Williams Jr. did not clear concussion protocol this week. Budda Baker is also questionable after a groin issue that kept him out of practice on Friday, which could further shuffle Arizona’s late-week safety plan.

Why It Matters

Arizona’s roster is using the next-on-deck window to respond quickly to a safety shortage and add fresh bodies before a key matchup against the Los Angeles Rams’ offense.
Crawford’s return changes the Cardinals’ defensive back depth at a time when multiple safeties are out or limited by injury/clearance.
Hull and Reed’s promotions report that the practice-squad pipeline is ready to contribute in the regular-season rotation, not just as depth.
Because Budda Baker’s status is listed as questionable, the Cardinals’ final defensive backfield could depend heavily on how Reed and Crawford are used.

Sources

Key Facts

The Cardinals activated safety Kitan Crawford to the active roster after he opened and completed a 21-day practice window.
Arizona elevated running back Evan Hull and safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad for regular-season debuts.
Crawford was placed on Injured Reserve after an ankle injury suffered on a blocked punt in the season opener.
Coach Mike LaFleur said Crawford looked good early in his return and suggested the team felt comfortable with his progression.
Arizona said it will be without Jeremiyah Love (ankle injury) and expects Andrew “Dewey” Wingard to miss his second consecutive game (knee injury).
The team reported Budda Baker is questionable after a groin issue, and rookie Wydett Williams Jr. did not clear concussion protocol this week.