PHOENIX -- Quarterback Logan Thomas, running back Robert Hughes and defensive end Matt Shaughnessy -- all members of last year's Arizona team -- were among the players released by the Cardinals on Saturday to reach the NFL's 53-man limit.
Thomas and rookie quarterback Phillip Sims -- presumed to be in a fight for the No. 3 quarterback job all preseason -- were cut after the Cardinals on Friday acquired Matt Barkley from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hughes -- sometimes used as a blocking fullback or "H-Back" -- played in all 16 games for Arizona last season. Shaughnessy, entering his seventh NFL season, appeared in eight games last season, seven as a starter, after missing eight games with a knee injury.
Also released were running back Kerwynn Williams and nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu.
The Cardinals cut 19 players. In addition, rookie tight end Gerald Christian was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. Former Arizona State running back Marion Grice (shoulder) and cornerback Jimmy Legree (calf) were waived/injured.
Arizona had an extra roster spot available, temporarily, because right tackle Bobby Massie was suspended for the first two games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Saturday's moves left Stepfan Taylor, entering his third NFL season, as the No. 4 running back behind Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson and David Johnson.
Thomas, 6-foot-6 and with a powerful arm, was drafted by Arizona in the fourth round out of Virginia Tech last season.
He was the No. 3 quarterback until both Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton went down with season-ending knee injuries. Then the Cardinals signed Ryan Lindley to start the final three games because coach Bruce Arians felt Thomas wasn't ready. Arizona lost all three games anyway.
Thomas had played better in the preseason, particularly in the finale against Denver on Thursday night, but the Cardinals' brain trust decided Barkley, in his third season out of USC, was a better choice. The Cardinals sent a conditional seventh-round pick to the Eagles for Barkley. Philadelphia gets the pick if Barkley is on the Arizona roster for six games.
Some of the players cut by the Cardinals will be re-signed to the practice squad if they clear waivers. That might include wide receiver Jaxon Shipley, who had a strong preseason but lost out to Brittan Golden for the fifth wide receiver spot behind Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, J.J. Nelson and Jaron Brown.
Others who made the roster aren't in the clear yet because the Cardinals could make further cuts and sign players released by other teams.
The other players released by Arizona were: tackle Cameron Bradfield, cornerbacks Cariel Brooks, Jonte Green and C.J. Roberts, guards Jon Halapio and Antoine McClain, wide receiver Trevor Harman, safety Harold Jones-Quartey, running back Paul Lasike, linebacker Gabe Martin, guard/center Anthony Steen and safety Anthony Walters.
The Cardinals are off Monday, then practice on Tuesday to begin preparation for their Sept. 13 season opener at home against New Orleans.
