Louisville football: Where each Card in the NFL stands entering the season

Former Louisville football stars had an eventful week in the NFL.

It’s an unusual year for everyone, but for the NFL- and former Louisville football stars in the league- things are running about on schedule.

On Friday, NFL squads were forced to cut their 80 man rosters down to 54- Always one of the more challenging days of the year for NFL players.

After the dust cleared and the rosters were set, 13 former Cardinals remain on NFL Rosters.

Here is an up-to-date list of players who are currently active in the league, courtesy of Kelly Dickey:

Baltimore- Lamar Jackson

Carolina- Teddy Bridgewater & John Miller

Cleveland- Trevon Young

Green Bay- Jaire Alexander

Houston- Brandon Dunn & Jonathan Greenard

Miami- DeVante Parker

New Orleans- Sheldon Rankins

New York Jets- Mekhi Becton & Josh Bellamy

Washington- Geron Christian & Josh Harvey-Clemons

If you’re a Cards fan who doesn’t have an NFL team to cheer for, those nine teams are a solid start. That way, regardless of how successful the squad is, you always have a player to watch and root for.

But what about the players who were cut? Where do they go next? Let’s take a look at some Cards that didn’t quite make it.

2019 graduate Tyler Haycraft was waived by the New York Giants, however, he was resigned to the Giants practice squad on Sunday.

After walking on at Louisville, Haycraft became a consistent contributor in 2018 and a reliable starter under the new staff in 2019. He will still have every chance to prove himself going forward.

Reports indicate that Haycraft was moved from tackle to center over the offseason, and the team was really impressed with his work. Now, thanks to his versatility, one injury or player movement on the Giants offensive line could give Haycraft an opportunity to make his way onto a roster.

Former do-it-all Louisville native Reggie Bonnafon was surprisingly waived by the Carolina Panthers but was signed to the team’s practice squad. This is the biggest shocker among players who didn’t make a final roster.

Bonnafon was a solid contributor behind NFL rushing leader Christian McCaffrey last season and figured to play a larger role on the roster in 2020. The Panthers had different plans for Bonnafon, however.

If there’s a guy who didn’t make the cut but could still make an impact on a team this season, it has to be Bonnafon.

Former running back Senorise Perry was waived by the Tennessee Titans. As a kick-off return specialist in the league, Perry has to find the perfect niche to fit into.

There’s still hope for Perry though because any team is just one injury or negative incident away from needing to sign a guy like Perry. He will be ready to go if his name is called.

Prototypical tight end Cole Hikutini was waived by the Dallas Cowboys but was signed to the practice squad roster.

Hikutini has a well-rounded game that would fit well almost anywhere in the league. Don’t be surprised if he winds up getting the call up from the Cowboys at some point this season.

Linebacker James Burgess started 10 games in 2019 and led his team with 80 tackles, yet he was waived by the New York Jets this weekend.

Burgess figures to be a big name as a free agent, and should certainly expect to be picked up by a team that needs depth at linebacker.

Lastly, former offensive lineman Jamon Brown was cut loose by the Atlanta Falcons, but he was quickly picked up and added to the Chicagp Bears practice squad.

Brown has started in 47 games and played in 60 total games since leaving Louisville in 2014. He should be able to find a way onto a roster sooner rather than later.