The Arizona Cardinals do not currently have a kicker on their roster, as Zane Gonzalez was placed on injured reserve last week. Mike Nugent, who handled kicking duties the last two weeks, has reverted to the practice squad.
To make sure Nugent is available to kick on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16, the team protected him and three others from being signed by other teams this week.
According to the league transaction report, the Cardinals protected the following players:
- K Mike Nugent
- TE Seth DeValve
- DL Michael Dogbe
- LB Terrance Smith
Nugent will kick for the Cardinals this weekend. He will be brought up before the game. DeValve has been elevated to the active roster for games twice this season. With Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels both injured and day-to-day, the Cardinals might need him again this weekend.
Dogbe has been protected multiple weeks this season and has been elevated three times this season to the roster.
Smith was elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played on special teams. Since linebacker Kylie Fitts is recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday’s game, protecting Smith ensures that role is filled.
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