With three openings on the practice squad following the Tuesday signing of kicker Chad Ryland to the active roster and release of tight end Jordan Murray and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants, the Arizona Cardinals had tryouts with five players the same day. Only two have NFL regular-season game experience.
Working out were two linebackers, two offensive linemen and one cornerback.
Here’s a snapshot of their backgrounds:
LB Rashaan Evans: 6-2, 228; Alabama; Born Nov. 18, 1995
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Evans was selected in the first round of the 2018 draft (22nd overall) by the Tennessee Titans. He played four seasons in Nashville and one with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.
He became an unrestricted free agent in 2023, but didn’t sign with a team until joining the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on Sept. 12. Released three days later, the Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad on Oct. 12. Evans was signed to the active roster on Nov. 18, but was waived on Dec. 27, one day after being arrested for possession of marijuana in Frisco, Tex. He played nine games with one start in 2023.
This year, he was out of football until signing with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad on Oct. 1. He was released Oct. 12.
In his six NFL seasons, Evans played 85 games with 68 starts and had 5.0 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 485 tackles (286 solo) with 21 for loss.
CB Keion Crossen: 5-10, 195; Western Carolina; Born April 17, 1996
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Crossen was a seventh-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2018 when Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort was the team’s director of college scouting. He played one season with the Patriots, two with the Houston Texans, one with the N.Y. Giants and one with the Miami Dolphins in 2022.
He missed the entire 2023 season with a reported leg injury suffered during the final practice before the roster cut to 53 players. General manager Chris Grier called it “a freak injury,” but didn’t elaborate. Crossen was released by the Dolphins on March 5 of this year with a failed physical designation.
During his five seasons, Crossen played 75 games with six starts and had 10 passes defensed, one forced fumble, fumble recovery and sack.
LB Charlie Thomas III: 6-3, 216; Georgia Tech; Born Jan. 31, 2000
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Thomas signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He was waived on Aug. 29, signed to the practice squad the next day and was elevated for three games during the season. Signed to a futures contract in January of this year, Thomas was placed on injured reserve Aug. 1 and waived with an injury settlement on Aug. 5.
G Matthew Jones: 6-3, 316; Ohio State; Born June 13, 1999
Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown (33) lines up for a snap behind offensive lineman Matthew Jones (55) during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State lost 14-3.
A teammate of Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. in college, Jones went to training camp with the Dolphins this year as an undrafted free agent. He was waived Aug. 27
C Charles Turner: 6-4, 303; Louisiana State; Born June 4, 2001
Jul 24, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots center Charles Turner (61) walks to the practice field during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Turner was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots this year and was waived Aug. 26.
