Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver LaRon Byrd (17) is hit after a reception in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in the pro football hall of fame preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
When the Arizona Cardinals signed undrafted wide receiver LaRon Byrd during the summer of 2012, I thought it might end up being one of the steals of the undrafted free agents class that year. He had a pretty good preseason and ended up playing in three games for the Cardinals during the regular season in 2012. Turns out, it’ll be the only three games Byrd sees the field with the Cards.
Byrd, undrafted out of the University of Miami, spent all of 2013 on the injured reserve list. He wasn’t too impressive before he got injured but the injury left us without knowing what would have become of him in 2013. All we know now is he is no longer a member of the Cardinals roster.
Right now, to me, this seemed more like a need to fill a roster spot with someone else more than anything else. The Cards also waived linebacker Dan Giordano. Giordano was on the physically unable to perform list last season. Both Byrd and Giordano were a victim of numbers.
Byrd wasn’t going to be able to fight for a spot on a team that may rely more heavily on their receivers in 2014. Of course health is an issue, although there was no specific reason given for Byrd’s release. His health status is currently unknown. With the signing of Ted Ginn Jr. and the probability the Cards will draft a wide receiver, the Cards couldn’t afford to wait on Byrd. Hopefully he can catch on with someone else if and when he gets healthy.