The Cardinals have added veteran defensive lineman Tommy Kelly to the roster.
The Cardinals are only a couple of days from paring down their roster 22 players, but seeking new possibilities hasn't stopped.
Veteran defensive lineman Tommy Kelly was signed to a one-year deal Wednesday, a few days after being released by the New England Patriots. To make room on the current 75-man roster, defensive lineman Ryan McBean was released.
Kelly joins Isaac Sopoaga and McBean as veterans signed in attempts to shore up the defensive line after the season-ending ACL injury to Darnell Dockett. Dockett underwent successful surgery to repair the knee ligaments Tuesday.
No newcomer is expected to fully fill what was lost when Dockett went down, but the Cardinals will continue to try and bolster the rotation. Kelly, 33, might have been able to stick in New England although his original money for 2014 – he was to count $1.8 million on the salary cap – was too costly for the Patriots, especially after the team moved away from a 4-3 front.
In five games last season, Kelly had 2½ sacks for the Patriots before going down with a season-ending ACL tear of his own. He had been working with New England's first unit much of the preseason before he was cut.
It is unknown if Kelly will try to play in Thursday's preseason finale in San Diego.
