In an unexpected move, the Arizona Cardinals released cornerback David Amerson on Thursday.
At first glance, there are two reasons this move came as a surprise. First, it came on the final day of the team's minicamp, when teams are usually settling in with their rosters for training camp. But, the Cardinals decided to break away from the norm.
The other is the fact that the team that will be without All-Pro corner Patrick Peterson for the first six games of the regular season.
Given his experience, Amerson was expected to be the one to temporarily take Peterson's starting spot alongside free agent signee Robert Alford, but now the team will look to second-round draft pick Byron Murphy, veteran Tramaine Brock, or perhaps talent elsewhere to be a replacement. The Cardinals do have four other corners on the roster, as well.
It's easy to read this move as a sign that Murphy is progressing well. For a player many thought was the best corner in the draft, that may very well be the case, said Darren Urban of the team's official website, which could be why Arizona felt inclined to release a player with 61 career starts on his resume.
Arizona has yet to announce the corresponding move, but it's worth noting that NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier Thursday that the team would be hosting former Miami Dolphins defensive end Andre Branch.
In his lone season with the Cardinals, Amerson, 27, played in six games — starting five — and totaled 21 tackles, two pass deflections and an interception.
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