Cardinals OTAs: Absences Highlight Contract Talks and Injury Management
Tight end Tip Reiman remains sidelined with injury while quarterback Jacob Brissett’s absence points to ongoing compensation negotiations.
The Arizona Cardinals commenced their first voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTA) practice on Monday, marking the third phase of the offseason programme. While overall attendance was reported as good, several players were absent or not participating on the field, reflecting the voluntary nature of these sessions where participation is not mandatory.
Tight end Tip Reiman was observed in street clothes on the sidelines, reportedly recovering from a serious ankle injury. His presence off the field underscores the common occurrence of players utilising this phase for rehabilitation rather than active drills.
Quarterback Jacob Brissett’s absence is linked to contract negotiations, with reports indicating he is seeking increased compensation. This highlights the intersection of personnel management and labour discussions that often occur during the offseason, where players may choose not to participate while in talks or when a contract dispute is active.
Other notable absences included players returning from injuries, specifically Benson, Nolen, and Williams. Rookie Sharar was likely dealing with a minor issue, though the specific nature of the problem was not confirmed. The reasons for the absences of Jones, Browning, and Collier were not immediately known.
AZCentral’s Theo Mackie tracked the players who were not working on the field or on the side on Monday. While absences during OTAs are not necessarily viewed negatively, as players may be rehabilitating or attending to personal matters, the specific status of Brissett’s negotiations remains a point of interest for the organisation.
