SEC West Cardinals? Arizona reportedly to sign former Alabama DB to bolster secondary

Former Alabama star DB Dre Kirkpatrick is looking for a fresh start in the NFL.

Kirkpatrick has played all eight NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The one-time starter suffered a hyperextended knee last season which cut his season to just six games. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that the Arizona Cardinals have hosted him on a visit, and plan to sign him to bolster the secondary. John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM in Phoenix has reported that the Cardinals indeed signed Kirkpatrick for the veteran minimum.

The likely Kirkpatrick signing means the Cardinals would have two former SEC West stars at cornerback, as Patrick Peterson is set to man the other side.

Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was his position coach for two seasons with the Bengals.

Kirkpatrick has played in 99 games with 10 interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and 65 passes defended. He has played in at least 13 games in six of his NFL seasons.

The Bengals released Kirkpatrick in March as a way to overhaul their secondary after a 2-14 season. He was a first-round pick in 2012 and started 67 games. He missed 10 games last season.

Kirkpatrick may be remembered in Cincinnati for his collision in practice early in training camp with star WR A.J. Green, which ultimately caused Green to have ankle surgery and miss the season.

That would make three cornerbacks signed by the Cardinals in a span of just three days, but Kirkpatrick would be brought in to be the starter opposite Patrick Peterson. https://t.co/xOXQLJuN4k

— Bob McManaman (@azbobbymac) August 23, 2020

The one year deal for Dre Kirkpatrick with Arizona is for the veterans minimum

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) August 23, 2020

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.