ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Cardinals Player Released on Cutdown Pos. Current Team Capacity Aaron Francisco DB Colts Active Roster Onrea Jones WR Redskins Practice Squad Trevor Canfield OL Cardinals Practice Squad Keilen Dykes DL Cardinals Practice Squad Alex Field DL Cardinals Practice Squad Ed Gant WR Cardinals Practice Squad Wilrey Fontenot DB Cardinals Injured reserve Chase Bullock LB -- -- Tim Castille RB -- -- Jameel Dowling DB -- -- David Holloway LB -- -- Reagan Maui'a RB -- -- Carlton Medder OL -- -- Tyler Palko QB -- -- Leonard Pope TE -- -- Steve Sanders WR -- -- Pago Togafau LB -- -- Chris Vincent RB -- -- Melvin Fowler OL -- -- Victor Hobson LB -- -- Rodney Leisle DL x x Oliver Ross OL x x

The tough decisions teams face in reducing their rosters to 53 players sometimes aren't so tough.

I've gone through the initial NFC West cut lists -- those players released at the 53-man deadline -- to see which ones have returned to their teams or caught on elsewhere.

The chart shows results for Arizona.

Veteran safety Aaron Francisco signed with the Colts. Receiver Onrea Jones signed with the Redskins' practice squad. Arizona re-signed four players to its practice squad.

Four others -- Wilrey Fontenot, Chris Vincent, Carlton Medder and Pago Togafau -- were injured when the Cardinals released them. All but Fontenot have reached injury settlements, leaving the roster. Fontenot remains on injured reserve. Update: Fontenot has also reached an injury settlement.

Some veterans on the list might have an easier time finding work after Week 1. Rules require teams to guarantee salaries to some veterans who are active for Week 1 and then released.

Ex-Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Chase Bullock LB Trevor Canfield OL Jameel Dowling DB Keilen Dykes DL Alex Field DE Wilrey Fontenot* DB Ed Gant WR David Holloway LB Onrea Jones WR Carlton Medder* OL Tyler Palko QB Steve Sanders WR Pago Togafau* LB Chris Vincent RB

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

I've put together a list of recently released Cardinals players with eligibility for the practice squad. Each was released on the reduction to 53 players. Wilrey Fontenot, Carlton Medder and Pago Togafau were injured when they were released. I've placed asterisks next to their names.

Quarterback Tyler Palko showed enough during preseason for consideration, although the Cardinals have not been inclined to carry a fourth quarterback during the regular season. Guard Trevor Canfield was a draft choice. Defensive end Keilen Dykes appeared to make a strong run early in camp. Receiver Onrea Jones showed promise at times.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: There weren'y any big ones. Undrafted rookie linebacker Reggie Walker did beat out veteran Victor Hobson. The team kept seven receivers for now, including Lance Long, after injuries affected Early Doucet, Anquan Boldin and (previously) Steve Breaston. I would not expect the Cardinals to keep seven receivers all season, a reminder that this is the team's initial 53-man roster, not the final one.

Arizona sought to upgrade its secondary through the draft and free agency. That spelled the end for veteran safety Aaron Francisco. I thought the team might keep veteran center Melvin Fowler as insurance. Rookie returner LaRod Stephens-Howling stuck around, costing fullback Tim Castille a chance to continue with the team. Tight end Leonard Pope's demise had been on the horizon for a while and it was a bad sign when he was playing deep into the second half of the fourth exhibition game.

No-brainers: The team also released quarterback Tyler Palko, receiver Steve Sanders, receiver Ed Gant, cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, running back Chris Vincent, cornerback Jameel Dowling, fullback Reagan Maui'a, guard Trevor Canfield guard Carlton Medder, defensive end Alex Field, defensive tackle Keilen Dykes, tackle Oliver Ross, receiver Onrea Jones, defensive tackle Rodney Leisle, linebacker Chase Bullock and linebacker David Holloway. Canfield, chosen in the seventh-round, was the only 2009 draft choice released.

What's next: The heirarchy at tight end will continue to shake out, with Dominique Byrd essentially getting an extended tryout while Ben Patrick serves a four-game suspension. The team still could use a backup center with some experience.