ARIZONA — Just days after signing him, the Arizona Cardinals have announced the release of outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr.

The reasons for Haynes’ release remain unclear. The Cardinals had signed him on August 6 in an attempt to fill the gap left by edge rusher BJ Ojulari, who is sidelined for the season due to a severe knee injury.

The Cardinals provided the following details about Haynes in their press release when he was signed:

“Haynes (6-2, 235) spent the past six seasons with the Panthers (2018-23), appearing in 71 games (two starts). Over that time, he recorded 92 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, 14.0 sacks, six passes defensed, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one touchdown, along with seven special teams tackles. Last season, he played in seven games (one start) with Carolina, contributing 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and a sack after beginning the year on injured reserve. In 2022, Haynes set career highs in tackles (26), quarterback hits (13), tackles for loss (seven), sacks (5.0), and passes defensed (four).

“The 30-year-old Haynes was originally drafted by Carolina in the fourth round (136th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, where he left as the Rebels’ all-time leader in tackles for loss (47.5) and sacks (32.0).”

At the top of Arizona’s edge rusher group are Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck, who were part of a unit that managed just 33 team sacks in 2023. Other names in the rotation include Cameron Thomas, Jesse Luketa, Victor Dimukeje, and Xavier Thomas.

Does this move suggest that Arizona has bigger plans for the outside linebacker position? It remains to be seen, though releasing a player the day before their preseason opener is certainly intriguing timing.