Arizona Cardinals Digest: Team announces signing former Chiefs defenders Jackson, Niemann

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The Cardinals on Thursday announced they have signed cornerback Josh Jackson and linebacker Ben Niemann, and released safety Javon Hagan. Jackson and Niemann participated in this week's Cardinals mini-camp on a tryout.

Jackson, 26, played three seasons in Green Bay before playing with Kansas City last year, appearing in 44 games (15 starts) with 89 tackles, 12 passes defensed, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery, in addition to 12 tackles on special teams. He was a second-round pick (45th overall) by the Packers in the 2018 draft out of Iowa.

Niemann also played with the Chiefs, appearing in 62 regular-season games (12 starts) the past four seasons amassing 153 tackles (100 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and 13 special teams tackles. Niemann, 26, originally was signed as an undrafted free agent from Iowa in 2018. 

Cardinals announce scouting department promotions

The Cardinals announced a series of promotions within their scouting department on Thursday.

Glen Fox has been promoted to director of pro personnel, Josh Scobey has been promoted to director of college scouting, John Mancini has been promoted to national scout, Zac Canty has been promoted to central regional scout, Ryan Gold has been promoted to assistant director of college scouting and Alex Valles has been promoted to area scout.

— Bob McManaman

Cardinals to host football skills camp

A group of Arizona Cardinals players, team mascot Big Red and Cardinals Cheerleaders will host a football skills camp for 40 kids and young adults from Mikey’s League on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. in the team’s practice bubble at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center (8701 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe).

Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck along with rookies including tight end Trey McBride, linebacker Myjai Sanders, running back Keaontay Ingram, linebacker Jesse Luketa and offensive lineman Marquis Hayes will teach the group proper football techniques such as the importance of hydration and stretching. The participants will then go through four stations with drills led by Cardinals players before concluding the camp with a competition where prizes will be awarded to the winning group along with a team photo.

Mikey’s League was founded with a powerful objective: to challenge the limits placed on children with disabilities and allow them to inspire and teach us. Mikey’s League believes in the power of sport, and its moments of triumph, to unify, heal, and provide the confidence needed to be successful in life, regardless of challenges.

— Bob McManaman

Cardinals sign Darrel Williams

The Arizona Cardinals signed running back Darrel Williams to a one-year contract and release running back Jaylen Samuel, according to an announcement Tuesday.

Williams, who played his last four seasons with the Chiefs, appeared in 51 games after entering the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted rookie free agent from LSU. He collected more than 1,000 all-purpose yards last season and scored eight touchdowns.

In his career, Williams has 237 carries for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns and 83 receptions for 762 yards and four touchdown. He was a part of the Chiefs Super Bowl LIV team following the 2019 season.

— Emily Horos

NFL invites Cardinals' Harris, Joseph to participate in accelerator program

The NFL announced that Cardinals' Vice President of Player Personnel Quentin Harris and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph have been selected to participate in the inaugural NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator program May 23-24 during the league’s spring meeting in Atlanta.

Harris and Joseph will take part in leadership development, sessions on the business of football, and engage in candid discussions on how to take the next step in becoming a head coach or front office executive. There are more than 60 head coach and general manager candidates from across the NFL who were nominated by their respective teams and the league to participate.

Arizona Cardinals executive Quentin Harris interviewed for the Giants' general manager position Thursday.
Arizona Cardinals executive Quentin Harris interviewed for the Giants' general manager position Thursday.

The program, part of the NFL’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, will provide women and minority prospects direct networking opportunities and exposure to club owners to prepare them for head coach and general manager positions.

Joseph, who served as head coach of the Broncos from 2017-18, is in his fourth season as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator. He had coached in the NFL for 17 seasons. Harris is entering his 19th season in the Cardinals’ organization and his 15th in Arizona’s scouting department. He played four of his five NFL seasons with the Cardinals after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Syracuse.

—Bob McManaman

Cardinals awarded waiver claim on LB

The Cardinals added more depth at outside linebacker on Tuesday as they were awarded their waiver claim on Jessie Lemonier. In a corresponding move, the team released defensive lineman LaRon Stokes.

Lemonier, 25, played in seven games for Detroit last season and had 15 tackles and 1½ sacks after beginning the year on the Lions’ practice squad. He entered the league in 2020 with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent from Liberty. He appeared in six games as a rookie.

In two seasons at Liberty, Lemonier had 135 tackles, 29 for loss, 20½ sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His brother, Corey, played for the 49ers, Browns, Lions and Jets.

Trey McBride discusses his upcoming position as a tight end with the Arizona Cardinals during a press conference held at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on May 12, 2022.
Trey McBride discusses his upcoming position as a tight end with the Arizona Cardinals during a press conference held at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe on May 12, 2022.

Also on Tuesday, the Cardinals announced they have signed three 2022 NFL Draft choices to four-year contracts: Tight end Trey McBride (2th round, 55th overall) from Colorado State; cornerback Christian Matthew (7th round, 244th overall) from Valdosta State; offensive lineman Marquis Hayes (7th round, 257th overall) from Oklahoma.

Last week, the team signed sixth-round picks, running back Keaontay Ingram and guard Lecitus Smith along with seventh-rounder Jesse Luketa, a linebacker out of Penn State.

The only rookie draft picks still to agree to terms are the team’s two third-round picks  — outside linebacker Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders.

—Bob McManaman

Cardinals partner with Mesa food bank

Cardinals Charities announced Monday it has partnered with Albertsons/Safeway to donate 200,000 meals to the United Food Bank in Mesa at an event on Tuesday from 3-4 p.m.

Cardinals offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum, D.J. Humphries, Justin Murray and Eric Smith, linebacker Dennis Gardeck, wide receiver Antoine Wesley, team mascot Big Red, Cardinals Cheerleaders, team staff and Albertsons/Safeway employees will help pack meals and present a $40,000 check for the 200,000 meals to benefit the food bank.

“The Cardinals are thrilled to align with Albertsons/Safeway and United Food Bank to highlight food insecurity while supporting and feeding those in need within our Arizona communities,” Cardinals Senior Vice President of Business Development Steve Ryan said in a press release.

“Pooling resources with trusted partners in support of Arizonans is very important to our team and allows us to reciprocate the loyalty and support this community and our fans consistently exhibit.”

This marks the Cardinals’ second food bank meal donation of this magnitude within that past year. After Zach Ertz was traded to the Cardinals last season on Oct. 15, his Zach Ertz Family Foundation and Gilbert-based Athlete’s Corner helmed a similar donation drive to food banks across the state, which delivered 5000 meals per Cardinals touchdown scored during their Score For More campaign.

—Dana Scott

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Cardinals Digest: Team signs two former Chiefs defensive players