Former Arizona Wildcats All-American Scooby Wright is coming back to the state where he became one of college footballβs top players.
Wright, who has spent most of his rookie season on the Cleveland Brownsβ practice squad, is expected to sign with the Cardinals today and likely will make his NFL debut Sunday. The Cardinals face the New Orleans Saints at 2:05 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
Time to work!
β Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) December 13, 2016
Phoenix radio reporter Mike Jurecki first reported Wrightβs pending move Monday night.
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians wanted to sign Wright if he didnβt get drafted, which almost happened. Cleveland selected the linebacker with the 250th pick in the 253-selection 2016 draft.
Wright was inactive for the winless Brownsβ first two games. They waived him Sept. 20 before signing him to their practice squad.
The Cardinals have been hit hard by injuries, thinning their linebacking corps and special-teams units. Several players got hurt in Sundayβs 26-23 loss at Miami, including linebacker Deone Bucannon, who could be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Wright was prepared to accept Ariansβ offer to sign with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent before the Browns picked him. A few days later, Arians disclosed just how close Wright came to becoming a Cardinal.
Arians said he had Wright on the phone and was βbegging him to come with us as a free agent because I think he has something special about him.β Then the Browns grabbed him.
Seven-plus months later, Arians is going to get his man.
Despite an all-time great season in 2014 at the UA, Wright fell in the draft because of concerns about his athleticism. He didnβt test well at the NFL scouting combine, and he missed most of the 2015 season because of foot and knee injuries.
Wright won the Nagurski, Lombardi and Bednarik awards as a sophomore in 2014, when he ranked in the top five among FBS players for tackles (163), stops for loss (29), sacks (14) and forced fumbles (six).
Wright appeared in only three games the following season, including the season-ending New Mexico Bowl. He earned Defensive MVP honors after recording a game-high 15 tackles, including two sacks. He announced his intention to turn pro immediately after the game.
