Arizona Cardinals place Earl Watford on IR, promote Swearinger

Roster move for Swearinger comes after the player was signed to the practice squad last week

The Arizona Cardinals placed offensive lineman Earl Watford on IR today after a nagging hand injury had him deactivated for Week 13 against St. Louis. Watford started the first two games of the season while Bobbie Massie served a suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy.

To take his place on the active roster, the Cardinals elevated D.J. Swearinger, who is with his third team this season. Swearinger was a second team All-SEC player in 2012 but hasn’t lived up to his second round potential chosen by the Houston Texans in 2013. Cut during camp with the Texans this season, the safety spent half the season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being cut again. The Cardinals signed Swearinger on December 1st.

Steve Keim has shown a knack for taking veterans off the street in simple, one year, prove-it contracts and getting the most out of them. Sometimes, with a career reinvigorated, they leave for green pastures, other times they stick around and have a big impact on the success of the team. We’ll see how the signing of Swearinger plays out.

Tony Jefferson is a game time decision tomorrow, so the depth at safety could be tested, however the Vikings aren’t without their fair share of injuries as well.

Hopefully this is one of Keim’s magical moments to share with us all. A Christmas miracle perhaps?