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Ronald Zamort Moves Up, Then Goes Down

Notes: Cornerback leaves practice; Dawson's field-goal range; Monday practice closed

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Cardinals cornerback Ronald Zamort gets ready before a training camp practice.


Bruce Arians will let General Manager Steve Keim talk about the Cardinals' quest to acquire a veteran cornerback.

But, the coach said Saturday, "I'd like to see us get one, yeah."

It may be more crucial now. Ronald Zamort, who had been running first team because starter Justin Bethel was out a "couple of days" after hyperextending his left knee, was carted off at Saturday's practice. His injury was unknown. In terms of veteran help, the Cards have had known workouts with veterans Brandon Flowers and Tramon Williams.

(UPDATE: The Arizona Republic reported Sunday Zamort tore his ACL.)

Without signing anyone, Zamort was the surprise fill-in for Bethel. It wasn't Brandon Williams, the 2016 third-round pick and presumed Bethel

backup, stepping in with the first unit. 

Asked what could be read into that fact, Arians was blunt.

"Whatever you want to read into it," Arians said. "He's playing with the first team instead of Brandon."

Unfortunately for Zamort, he wasn't able to stay in his spot for long. On the scary play when he was hurt, Zamort was on the ground, face down and motionless. After turning over, he eventually moved his limbs and even stood up, trying to avoid leaving on a cart. Eventually, he was convinced to ride off. 

Zamort originally signed with the team as an undrafted rookie last year. He was released at the end of camp. After he was cut, he went back to Michigan, where he attended college, and found work as a counselor at a youth detention center.

The Cardinals brought him back to the practice squad Dec. 20 after a spate of injuries to the secondary.

 "Ronnie is having a hell of a camp," Arians said. "He had a good camp last year, went right to the wire. He is better outside. He was more of a nickel last year, really worked himself into the outside rotation."

Bethel remains the starter when healthy, and the flip-flop of Zamort and Williams shows Williams has a long way to go to earn defensive snaps. Zamort had no interest in talking about the battle or where he fits at this point.

"I'm just focused right now," Zamort said before practice. "I'm not thinking about whether I'm at the top or at the bottom."

DAWSON FROM LONG RANGE

Veteran kicker Phil Dawson booted a 56-yard field goal to close Friday's practice, and the Cardinals may be in a position to try longer field goals than they had with previous kicker Chandler Catanzaro.

"Phil is from 60 in and he always has been," Arians said. "He's never lost any distance. He can still kick off. The yard-line just moves back. If we get to the (opposing team's) 40, it's probably going to be a field goal."

Catanzaro tried just 11 field goals of at least 50 yards in his three seasons with the Cardinals, making only five. In his career, Dawson is 38-of-54 from 50 yards and longer. He has made 10 of 14 the last three seasons.

LOGAN AT PUNT RETURN?

One of the reasons the Cardinals drafted running back T.J. Logan was to help with kickoff returns, and Arians said he is in line to have that job. More unexpected is the possibility of Logan -- who has never returned punts -- working his way toward a punt return job. 

Arians said Logan is doing "well" in that regard, although returning punts in a game is a lot different than doing it in practice. Currently, Patrick Peterson is still slated to be the top punt returner, although the Cardinals would rather him not. John Brown, Brittan Golden and J.J. Nelson are other candidates.

MONDAY PRACTICE CLOSED

The Cardinals have changed their practice schedule for Monday. Practice was originally supposed to be open to the public but now it is closed. After Saturday's Red-White practice, the next open training camp practice will be Tuesday, Aug. 8.

For the most up-to-date training camp information, please visit azcardinals.com/cardscamp.

Images from the sixth practice of #CardsCamp



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