Cardinals place OL Watford on IR, elevate S Swearinger

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals have placed offensive lineman Earl Watford on season-ending injured reserve with a hand injury and elevated safety D.J. Swearinger from the practice squad.

Coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that an MRI showed that Watford had ligament damage. Watford started the first two games at left guard while Mike Iupati recovered from knee surgery.

Arians also said running back Andre Ellington (turf toe), cornerback Jerraud Powers (calf) and defensive lineman Frostee Rucker (ankle) would not play Thursday night against Minnesota. The coach said Ellington is close to returning and might have played this week had the game been on Sunday.

Arians said the participation of tight end Jermaine Gresham (knee) and safety Tony Jefferson (hamstring) would be a game-time decision.

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