Arizona Cardinals' Devon Kennard goes from being cut to possible Sunday playing time
Devon Kennard made no secret of how he felt about the Cardinals releasing him last week. The ninth-year NFL veteran linebacker went through a roller coaster of emotions, that started with him not making the team's 53-man roster, then two days later being signed to the practice squad.
"I was upset, don't feel like it should have happened. Still feel that way," Kennard said Wednesday. "But, move on, you know. Getting ready to go now.
"More than that, I feel like I had a good camp and earned a roster spot," Kennard added. "I don't think many people would disagree with that."
Things took another dramatic turn for the Phoenix native on Tuesday, when the Cardinals released their depth chart for Week 1. Kennard is listed as the No. 2 outside linebacker behind Markus Golden, who didn't play in the preseason with what was announced as a toe injury.
Golden didn't practice Wednesday, even though head coach Kliff Kingsbury said last year's Cardinals sacks leader needs only limited work to be ready to play in a game. Kennard is also still a practice squad player as of Wednesday, but signs point to him being activated for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"He's earned that," Kingsbury said about Kennard's spot on the depth chart. "We had a feeling he'd be activated pretty much each week. And that's where we wanted him to be placed."
NFL rules allow for two practice squad players per week that can be elevated to the active roster for game day, then placed back on the practice squad immediately following the game. It's a roster designation that can be used three times per season for a single player.
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Maybe the Cardinals told Kennard to stay in the area and rejoin the team as a practice squad player, knowing that Kennard and his vast experience (111 career regular season games) might be needed. Kennard said he had opportunities with other teams, but in the end decided the best of those opportunities was in Arizona.
"It made a lot of sense football wise, and then the personal stuff, that's extra, you know, but the football stuff was what mattered to me most," Kennard said. "I feel like I'm a highly motivated person regardless. So for me, I'm getting ready for Kansas City. Last week was last week, it was an emotional week, had a lot of emotions. But this week is game week, I'm not really worried about any of that anymore."
Kennard feels he's long been a good run defender, and said he did well in the pass rush snaps he got in the preseason.
Asked about his depth chart designation, Kennard said that was something to ask coaches and the general manager about.
"I don't know what they plan on doing. I'll be ready to go with whatever opportunity I'm given," Kennard said.
Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's Devon Kennard goes from being cut to possible Week 1 action
