The Cardinals have spent a lot of time and draft capital on the cornerback position since Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon arrived, and now creating such depth has a practical application.

Veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting was placed on the non-football injury list on Thursday, according to the official NFL transaction list as well as multiple reports. The roster move hasn’t officially been announced by the team, but it is a curveball into what the secondary looks like in 2025, losing the most experience cornerback on the team. Being put on NFI now means he is out for the season.

The Cardinals open their first of two weeks of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, with coach Jonathan Gannon scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday morning.

Last season, Murphy-Bunting’s first with the team, he had three interceptions and five passes defensed in 15 games. The Cardinals did spend two draft picks on cornerbacks — Will Johnson in the second round, Denzel Burke in the fifth round — in April’s draft, to go along with 2024 second-round pick Max Melton, 2023 third-round pick Garrett Williams, 2024 third-round pick Elijah Jones, as well as two-year starter Starling Thomas V.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list, ruling him out for the entire 2025 NFL season. This development, confirmed on May 22 via the NFL’s official transaction wire, marks a significant setback for both the player and the team’s defensive plans.(Reuters, BVM Sports)

Murphy-Bunting, 27, joined the Cardinals in 2024 on a three-year, $25.5 million contract after stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans. In his first season with Arizona, he started 15 games, recording 52 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles, providing veteran leadership in a youthful secondary. (Revenge of the Birds, Reuters)

The specific nature of Murphy-Bunting’s injury has not been disclosed. Placement on the NFI list indicates the injury occurred outside of team-sanctioned activities, such as personal workouts. This designation means the Cardinals are not obligated to pay his $7.7 million base salary for the 2025 season, as the injury did not happen during official team activities. (https://www.azfamily.com)

Reports suggest the Cardinals were aware of Murphy-Bunting’s injury prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, influencing their decision to select cornerbacks Will Johnson (Michigan) in the second round and Denzel Burke (Ohio State) in the fifth round. These additions aim to bolster the secondary in light of Murphy-Bunting’s absence. (Burn City Sports, Revenge of the Birds)

Murphy-Bunting’s absence leaves a void in the Cardinals’ defense, particularly in terms of experience and leadership. The team will now rely on a mix of young talent, including recent draft picks and players like Max Melton and Garrett Williams, to step up and fill the gap in the secondary. (Revenge of the Birds, Arizona Cardinals)

With Murphy-Bunting’s 2025 salary potentially voided due to the NFI designation, the Cardinals may explore options such as contract tolling, partial payment, or negotiating a buyout. These decisions will impact both the team’s salary cap and Murphy-Bunting’s future with the organization. (Revenge of the Birds)

As the Cardinals prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on integrating new talent into the secondary and adjusting defensive strategies to compensate for the loss of a key player. Murphy-Bunting, meanwhile, will focus on recovery with the aim of returning to the field in 2026.(Revenge of the Birds)

For a visual breakdown of this development, you can watch the following video:

Sean Murphy-Bunting OUT FOR THE YEAR On NFI List