Cardinals releasing QB Desmond Ridder

Third-year quarterback Desmond Ridder has lost the competition to be the Arizona Cardinals’ backup quarterback. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals are releasing Ridder among the moves to get the roster down to 53 players.

Ridder was acquired via trade this offseason from the Atlanta Falcons for receiver Rondale Moore.

He was the favorite to be the backup to Kyler Murray, but second-year quarterback Clayton Tune beat him, outperforming the former third-round pick in all three preseason contests.

Ridder’s release also answers the question about whether the Cardinals will keep three quarterbacks on the roster. They will not.

Now is the waiting game for Ridder. If he clears waivers, he can re-sign with the Cardinals on the practice squad. The Cardinals kept a third quarterback on the practice squad all last season.

Ridder has started 17 games in his NFL career, going 8-9 in those games. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in his career and has five career rushing touchdowns.

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