Aug 25, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins (4) is called for unsportsmanlike conduct against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Desmond Bishop (59) after making a catch during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals, who are in need of another veteran presence at inside linebacker thanks to the suspension of Daryl Washington, signed Desmond Bishop today to a contract. He adds depth but recent injuries are a cause for concern.
Bishop was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2007. He finally became a full-time starter in 2011 when he started every game he played in. He started 12 of 15 games the year before in 2010. 2011 was his last real productive season though when he had 115 tackles and five sacks. He spent all of 2012 on the injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in the preseason. He was released by the Packers last summer.
The Minnesota Vikings came calling for Bishop but again, his season was cut short in October last year due to a torn ACL. He ended up only playing in four games for the Vikings. So naturally, it is easy to see why a player like Bishop was out there without any current work.
If Bishop is healthy enough to play now, that’s good enough for me. As far as I am concerned, he isn’t hurting anything by being here and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out and the Cards are no worse the wear. It will be interesting though to see if Bishop can regain what he once had in Green Bay. If he is even half that player then I think he can work out here in Arizona.