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Hayes, Schofield activated

The Cardinals have decided to activate linebackers Gerald Hayes and rookie O’Brien Schofield off the PUP and reserve/non-football injury lists, respectively. Hayes is not a surprise, Schofield is a little — and still an amazing story given that he blew out his knee in mid-January and will now be available for more than half the season.

To make room on the roster, the Cardinals have released wide receiver Onrea Jones and linebacker Alex Hall. Neither are surprises. Jones was unnecessary given the health of the other six receivers on the roster, while Hall was always just keeping a seat warm until the Cards were sure Schofield would be able to contribute this season. Schofield is in an important spot; with the injury to Clark Haggans, Schofield will be the Cards’ lone pure reserve OLB in this game (although I am expecting the Cards to scheme up ways to work around that depth issue, including using three-safety sets and getting Adrian Wilson in the box).

Breaston inactive, Doucet plays, Roberts to start at WR

Early Doucet is playing but Steve Breaston is not, now that the inactive list has been announced for today’s game. Interestingly, with Breaston and Stephen Williams (back) inactive, it is rookie Andre Roberts and not Doucet who will be starting with Larry Fitzgerald.

Nose tackle Gabe Watson is also back to inactive now that Kenny Iwebema is healthy again. The rest of the inactive list:

• QB John Skelton
• S Hamza Abdullah
• CB Trumaine McBride
• C Ben Claxton
• LB Alex Hall

Ware, Iwebema sit

The Cardinals’ inactives list is out, and safety Matt Ware (ankle) and defensive end Kenny Iwebema (knee) are both out today. That means the three nose tackles are all active — Bryan Robinson, Gabe Watson and Dan Williams — with Robinson’s ability to play defensive end as well. Cornerback Tru McBride is inactive for the first time too, benched for newcomer Brandon McDonald. The rest of the list:

• WR Steve Breaston (knee)
• WR Early Doucet (sports hernia)
• QB John Skelton
• C Ben Claxton
• LB Alex Hall

Among the Saints’ inactives are defensive starters CB Tracy Porter and DE Will Smith and RBs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas.

Dan Williams sits

As expected, rookie nose tackle Dan Williams is inactive today because he is overweight. Gabe Watson will take his place in the rotation backing up starter Bryan Robinson. The rest of the inactives contain no surprises:

• WR Steve Breaston (knee)
• WR Early Doucet (sports hernia)
• QB John Skelton
• S Hamza Abdullah
• CB Brandon McDonald
• C Ben Claxton
• LB Alex Hall

Watson still inactive

Nose tackle Gabe Watson remains on the inactive list this week for the Raiders game. RB Beanie Wells is playing, as is WR Steve Breaston. The rest of the inactive list:

• QB John Skelton
• CB A.J. Jefferson
• S Hamza Abdullah
• CB Brandon McDonald
• C Ben Claxton
• WR Early Doucet (hernia surgery)
• LB Alex Hall
• NT Gabe Watson

Shuffling in a new linebacker

The Cardinals have made a move in search of an outside linebacker, releasing Cyril Obiozor — who had been claimed on waivers after preseason cutdowns and was active only for the Atlanta game — and signing linebacker Alex Hall.

The Cardinals also released linebacker Curtis Gatewood from the practice squad.

Hall, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, was a seventh-round pick of Cleveland in 2008 (when current Cards’ director of pro personnel T.J. McCreight was still there). A college defensive end from St. Augustine, he was part of a multi-player-and-pick trade between the Browns and Eagles. The Eagles cut him before camp, he signed with the Giants, and then was cut before the season.