Steelers signing Murphy-Bunting to active roster

Murphy-Bunting missed 2025 with a torn ACL. He missed a portion of training camp this month, but it is unclear why. He resumed practicing on August 17. If healthy, he could compete for a backup role elsewhere. Also released or waived by the Cardinals were LB Eugene Asante, S Devyn Bobby, TE Shawn Bowman, LB Elliott Brown, P Jack Browning, S Hudson Clark, CB Elijah Culp, OL Ka’ena De Cambra, TE Rivaldo Fairweather, DL Cam Horsley, RB Evan Hull, OL Demontrey Jacobs, OL Christian Jones, CB Elijah Jones, CB Kalen King, DL Brodric Martin-Rhodes, CB Quenton Newsome, LB BJ Ojulari, S Isaiah Oliver, LB Owen Pappoe, OL Matt Pryor, TE Teagan Quitoriano, LB Cameron Robertson, OL Valentin Senn, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, DL Kevieon’ta Spears, RB Tre Stewart, CB Starling Thomas V, OL Oli Udoh, WR Harrison Wallace III, DL Damonic Williams, and DL Jonah Williams.

Murphy-Bunting was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in May 2025, and we never received any further detail on the matter. Now, the 28-year-old corner has revealed that he suffered a torn ACL in March of last year and also dealt with “some MCL damage.” Murphy-Bunting has spent most of his career playing on the outside, but said in an article by Zach Gershman that he expects to spend a lot of time in the nickel spot this year with Garrett Williams (Achilles) expected to miss some time to start the season. It’s safe to say this news comes as a bit of a surprised, but now a year removed from his injury, it sounds like Murphy-Bunting is in good shape ahead of training camp.

It will keep him around in 2026 and, as with James Conner’s re-working, is almost certainly a salary cut after he missed the entire 2025 season with an undisclosed injury. We’re a little surprised this was a priority for Arizona as Murphy-Bunting has not been an appreciably good player since his 2022 walk season with the Buccaneers, but the Cardinals have better information on his injury than we do.

We expect clarifying news to arrive shortly. Murphy-Bunting’s injury was not specified in the report, but notably dealt with a mid-season neck injury last year. Second-year CB Max Melton, CB Kei’Trel Clark and Starling Thomas V will likely compete for the No. 2 perimeter cornerback role opposite second-round rookie CB Will Johnson, while CB Garrett Williams mans the slot. The Cardinals also waived DE Ben Stille.

Murphy-Bunting practiced in full all week but was downgraded to questionable late in the process. He may have suffered a setback with his neck injury. The Cardinals also declared DL Darius Robinson, OL Christian Jones, TE Travis Vokolek, WR Xavier Weaver and DL Naquan Jones inactive this week.

Murphy-Bunting was a full participant in practice throughout the week before being cleared from the injury report on Friday. It looks like the issue flared up and he’s now at risk of missing Arizona’s matchup with the Bears. The free agent addition has two pass breakups and one interception this season.

Murphy-Bunting has one interception and two pass breakups this year. He has started all seven games, primarily playing at outside corner. His absence weakens an already beatable Arizona defense.

A former second-round pick, Murphy-Bunting played out his rookie deal with the Bucs before signing with the Titans for a year. He started all 14 games he was healthy for, racking up eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and three TFLs in the process. Murphy-Bunting isn’t a top-flight corner, but he can handle starting duties on the outside for Arizona. The Cardinals ranked 31st in EPA per dropback allowed in 2023.

Dillard suffered the concussion last week and was unable to return. Dillon Radunz took his place at left tackle and got in some work at left tackle during practice this week, so he should draw the start. Signed to a three-year contract in the offseason, Dillard has failed to live up to expectations in Tennessee. He may not have a starting spot to return to if Radunz plays well. Cornerback Sean-Murphy Bunting was also ruled out.

Week 10’s matchup against the Bucs would be a revenge game for Murphy-Bunting, who spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers and was a part of their 2020 Super Bowl run. His absence is great for Baker Mayfield and company, although it looks like corner Roger McCreary is gearing up for a return after being sidelined since Week 6.