The team has not announced the move yet, but there is a new kicker on the team. After holding tryouts for three kickers, the Cardinals signed Matt McCrane to the practice squad, his father revealed to me.
Current Cardinals kicker Matt Prater appears to be fine. He did not appear on the injury report on Wednesday and was not placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, at least on Wednesday’s NFL transactions report.
But as the Cardinals did last year, they have a kicker on the practice squad, which can serve multiple purposes.
McCrane is no stranger to the Cardinals. He kicked briefly for Arizona in 2018. He had a fantastic training camp but was beat out by Phil Dawson. He played one game for them that season, making all three of his extra points.
He spent some of the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but was waived in May.
In his NFL career, he played for three teams in 2018, making 8-of-12 field goals and all nine of his PATs.
Between his stint with the Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Guardians in the XFL, McCrane has made his last 22 kicks.
It would appear he is on the practice squad for COVID or injury insurance, much as was the case last season when they carried Mike Nugent on the practice squad.
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