The 49ers released Nkemdiche on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Nkemdiche's stint in the Bay lasted just three weeks. He'll have to look for another opportunity elsewhere, but in the meantime his departure should open up more practice reps at defensive tackle for Kevin Givens and Akeem Spence.
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Seahawks' Robert Nkemdiche: Out at least a week
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Coach Pete Carroll said Nkemdiche will be out about a week after tweaking something Thursday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.
Nkemdiche has only played in two games since he notched 4.5 sacks in 10 contests with Arizona in 2018. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL in 2019 and wasn't on a roster during the 2020 campaign. He started training camp dealing with a groin injury, but it is unclear if that is what is currently ailing him. If he is unable to go by Week 1, expect Rasheem Green or Darrell Taylor to see increased work at the start of the season.
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Seahawks' Robert Nkemdiche: Nursing groin injury
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Nkemdiche didn't practice Wednesday due to a groin injury, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.
Nkemdiche hasn't seen game action since 2019 with the Dolphins and signed with the Seahawks during the offseason. He'll have a little over a week to get healthy for the preseason opener Aug. 14 versus the Raiders.
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Robert Nkemdiche: Waived by Miami
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Nkemdiche was waived by the Dolphins on Tuesday, the team's official site reports.
Nkemdiche had just been activated off the PUP list in late October after recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season, but he logged just 18 total defensvie snaps in two games as a Dolphin. The 2016 first-round pick should foster interest on the market, but Nkemdiche has disappointed with just 4.5 career sacks.
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Dolphins' Robert Nkemdiche: Returns from PUP list
Rotowire
Nkemdiche (knee) was activated off the PUP list Monday.
Nkemdiche ready to go after suffering a torn ACL late last season, and he'll be eligible to play Monday at Pittsburgh, per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com. The 25-year-old's immediate role isn't clear, but he should slot into the Dolphins' defensive line rotation in some fashion.
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Robert Nkemdiche: Goes through waivers unclaimed
Rotowire
Nkemdiche (knee) cleared waivers Monday, becoming a free agent in the process, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
The Cardinals officially waived Nkemdiche on Saturday with a failed physical designation, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. The move followed a comment from coach Kliff Kingsbury, who termed Nkemdiche "not in shape" late last week. Apparently, the Cardinals were disappointed in his rehab from a torn ACL and opted to move on from the 2016 first-round pick. Nkemdiche will be subject to a physical from interested parties, which could hurt potential employment.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Not in football shape
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Coach Kliff Kingsbury indicated Friday that Nkemdiche (knee) is not football shape yet, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche is still working through the recovery process from an ACL tear suffered in Week 14 of last season. It sounds like he still has a ways to go, which likely explains his placement on the PUP list to kick off training camp. The Cardinals opted not to pick up the lineman's rookie fifth-year option back in May.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Placed on preseason PUP list
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Nkemdiche (knee) was placed on the physically unable to perform list Saturday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
It's been a difficult offseason for the 2016 first-round pick. After playing in only 27 of his 48 potential appearances, the Cardinals opted not to pick up Nkemdiche's rookie fifth-year option in May. The edge rusher was then arrested June 6 for speeding and driving on a suspended license -- a legal event that has yet to yield any sort of repercussions while processing through the court systems. Considering Nkemdiche is expected to miss at least some regular-season action while he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 14 last year, it wouldn't be surprising to see the 24-year-old placed on the regular-season PUP list, but that roster decision likely won't come for a number of weeks.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Has fifth-year option declined
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The Cardinals won't pick up the fifth-year option on Nkemdiche's (knee) rookie contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.
Since the Cardinals selected Nkemdiche 20th overall in the 2016 draft, he's been plagued by injuries, culminating with a torn ACL in Week 14 of last season. The struggle to stay healthy has resulted in just 27 appearances in 48 potential games, though he finally flashed some of his potential with 4.5 sacks among 32 tackles in 10 outings in 2018. With his rehab likely to encompass most of the upcoming campaign, the Cardinals seem to be making a cost-cutting move for the future, likely hoping he'll sign a prove-it deal next offseason to reestablish his value.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Out for season
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Nkemdiche (knee) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche was removed from Sunday's game against the Lions with a knee injury and was unable to return. Though the nature of his injury is unknown, coach Steve Wilks said that Nkemdiche will require surgery.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Monster game Sunday
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Nkemdiche recorded eight tackles (six solo), including 2.5 sacks, in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
Nkemdiche had a great individual game Sunday despite Arizona's struggles. Four of his eight tackles were for loss, while his 2.5 sacks more than doubled his career total. The Cardinals will hope Nkemdiche's game was more than a flash in the pan as they gear up for a Week 13 matchup with the Packers.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Won't play Sunday
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Nkemdiche has a calf injury and was ruled out for Sunday's game at Kansas City, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche is set to miss his second game of the season, as he began the week as a limited practice participant but was downgraded to a non-participant Thursday. Olsen Pierre and Rodney Gunter could both see increased snaps at defensive tackle with starter Corey Peters (ankle) listed as questionable.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Ineffective sophomore season
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Nkemdiche recorded 11 tackles (4 solo) and one forced fumble in 12 games for the Cardinals in 2017.
Nkemdiche's sophomore season was marred by injury issues again, and he managed to record a tackle in only six of the 12 games he appeared in. The 2016 first-round pick has played in only 17 games across his first two seasons in the NFL.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Injures wrist and won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Nkemdiche will not return to Sunday's game against the Redskins with a wrist injury, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
The Cardinals were already short-handed at defensive end with Josh Mauro inactive, and will now be without Nkemdiche for the rest of Sunday's game. Olsen Pierre and Xavier Williams are the available options for Arizona at defensive end.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Suiting up Week 7
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Nkemdiche (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche was limited in practice throughout the week, leading to his questionable tag prior to Sunday's game. Expect him to see his usual role as a backup along the defensive line.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Inactive for Sunday
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Nkemdiche (calf) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche hasn't played since a Week 2 matchup with Dallas, but even when he was healthy he wasn't logging a full workload. Xavier Williams and Rodney Gunter will be the lone reserve defensive linemen for the Cardinals.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Nkemdiche (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Nkemdiche was expected to play despite working as a limited participant in practice throughout the week, while the calf issue could ultimately force the Cardinals to limit his snap count Sunday. He's slated to provide depth at defensive end behind starters Josh Mauro and Frostee Rucker.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Expected to play in Week 2
Rotowire
Nkemdiche (calf) is expected to suit up in the Cardinals' Week 2 matchup with the Colts on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Though he was limited in practice this week, Nkemdiche demonstrated enough progress in his recovery from the calf injury to leave the Cardinals optimistic the 2016 first-round pick will be able to make his season debut Sunday. Nkemdiche will serve in a depth role at defensive end, rotating in when starters Frostee Rucker and Josh Mauro require a breather.
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Questionable for Week 2
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Nkemdiche (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nkemdiche was limited in practice this week after being a game-day inactive against the Lions in Week 1. There's been no clear indication of whether the 22-year-old is expected to play this week, but fortunately, Karlos Dansby (shin) was a full participant Thursday and Friday as the Cardinals prep for a Colts squad that will once again be without Andrew Luck (shoulder).
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Cardinals' Robert Nkemdiche: Hurts hamstring at practice
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Nkemdiche hurt his hamstring during Tuesday's OTA, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
The severity of Nkemdiche's injury isn't clear, but it could be enough to keep him sidelined for the remainder of OTAs. However, head coach Bruce Arians doesn't sound too concerned, saying Tuesday that Nkemdiche has had "a hell of a spring" and even if he were to miss the Cardinals' final two practices before training camp starts up in late July that "it won't mean anything." Thus, it doesn't sound like this hamstring ailment is anything that should keep the second-year defensive end sidelined for long, let alone linger into the regular season.
