Arizona Cardinals sign former Falcons defensive tackle

The Arizona Cardinals continue to bolster their defensive line.

Just days ago it was reported that the Arizona Cardinals would be bringing in defensive tackle Terrell McClain for a visit. But the news didn’t break about a signing until today; when the Cardinals announced that they would indeed be inking the veteran defender. The results of the signing led to the release of receiver Malachi Dupre as well.

McClain has been around the block a few times. The Cardinals will be the 30-year-old’s seventh team in eight seasons in the NFL. Though he’s bounced around since entering the league, he’s remained productive for each team he’s played for.

In 87 career regular seasons games played (34 starts), McClain has tallied 126 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits. However, he’s most known for his time playing for the Dallas Cowboys from 2014-16.

In his three-season stint with the Cowboys, McClain started 15 games; all of which were in his final season there. He proved to be a solid block-shedder and interior penetrator but was mostly utilized as a run-defender. In McClain’s final season in Dallas, he 39 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits.

The Cardinals are hoping that McClain can recreate his success as a Cowboy in the desert. He has some familiarity in Arizona as well, as he’ll be joining Vance Joseph, who coached for the Houston Texans during the defensive tackle’s one-year stint for the team.

It’s doubtful that McClain starts for the Cardinals, but he does bring them some veteran talent to solidify their depth in the trenches. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 302-pounds, his frame is likely suited for both 3-4 defensive tackle and defensive end, but not nose tackle. Nonetheless, he joins Darius Philon and Zach Allen in a revamped interior defensive line group.