Former Arizona DL Roy Lopez elevated to Cardinals’ active roster

Only three former Arizona Wildcats made season-opening rosters in the NFL this year, among the lowest in program history. But four weeks into the 2023 campaign that number has grown to four.

Ex-UA defensive lineman Roy Lopez has been elevated to the Arizona Cardinals’ active roster, three days after being signed to the practice squad. The move was necessitated by potential season-ending injuries to a pair of Cardinals defensive linemen.

Lopez, 26, started 29 games the previous two seasons with the Houston Texans, who took him in the 6^th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his time with Houston he had 67 tackles, 11 for loss, with a sack, fumble recovery and safety, but the Texans cut him before this season.

A native of Tempe, Lopez played for the UA in 2020 after beginning his career at New Mexico State. He led the Wildcats in sacks and TFLs during that COVID-shortened season.

The other ex-UA players currently on NFL rosters are kicker Nick Folk (Tennessee Titans), running back Gary Brightwell (New York Giants) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (San Francisco 49ers).