Okafor out 2-4 weeks, Arizona Cardinals sign FA Freeney
By Erich Becker
The Arizona Cardinals bring in another “prove-it” veteran after losing Alex Okafor for 2-4 weeks
During Arizona’s dominating win over the Detroit Lions in Week 5, the team lost linebacker Alex Okafor to a calf injury that could have him miss 2-4 weeks. Okafor was one of three players sent back to the Valley after the game yesterday while the rest of the team traveled to West Virginia to hold practices and stay leading up to Pittsburgh in Week 6.
In response to this injury, in a pass rush that hasn’t produced the amount of sacks, but has in pressure, that the team thought it might over the first quarter of the season, Dwight Freeney has been brought in according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cardinals gave Dwight Freeney 1-year, $870,000 contract, same as Chris Johnson, now 2nd in NFL in rushing. Freeney also has sack incentives.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2015
Schefter is reporting that Freeney signed a one-year, sack-incentive-based contract for $870,000 similar to the contract signed by fellow veteran Chris Johnson. The Cardinals are reaping the benefits of that Steve Keim signing with the artist formerly known as CJ2K rushing for over 100 yards in two of the last three games. Freeney was linked to other in-need teams like the Ravens and Saints over the course of the season but remained unsigned after only putting up 3.5 sacks with San Diego last season.
#AZCardinals DC James Bettcher coached Dwight Freeney in 2012 with the Colts, actually was his position coach.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) October 12, 2015
Freeney, defensive coordinator James Bettcher and Bruce Arians all have some history together. Even in limited situations, here’s hoping the old man has something left in the tank, and here’s hoping Alex Okafor is only out a limited amount of time.