With Baron Browning set to return from a concussion and BJ Ojulari back on the roster, the Cardinals trimmed their outside linebacking corps on Friday by releasing Xavier Thomas.

Thomas, a 2024 fifth-round pick, had appeared in four games this season without a defensive statistic. As a rookie, he had 2.5 sacks in 14 games, a forced fumble and a pass defensed.

Once the team signed Josh Sweat in free agency, the position was eventually going to be heavy in numbers. Ojulari took halfway through the year to return, and as he was ready, Browning suffered the head injury that kept him out two games.

Sweat leads the team with nine sacks, and Zaven Collins remains a starter. Rookie third-round pick Jordan Burch, coincidentally a high school teammate of Thomas, also was going to have a spot on the roster.

Browning had been in a yellow non-contact jersey on Thursday but Friday returned to regular practice work.

The Cardinals are in Tampa on Sunday to play the Buccaneers.