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Cardinals to sign Karlos Dansby for a third stint

The Arizona Cardinals announced they've reached an agreement with linebacker Karlos Dansby on a one-year contract. This is Dansby's third stint with the Cardinals: He was drafted by Arizona in 2004 and played for the Cards through the 2009 season before returning for one season in 2013. He spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Terms: One-year deal, money not known yet

ESPN 150 ranking: 148

Grade C: The only reason this signing makes sense is from a leadership standpoint. The Cardinals could use more veteran presence in the locker room to keep young players in line and teammates accountable. But from an on-field perspective, Dansby lacks the athleticism of someone 10 years younger.

What it means: It'll be interesting where the Cardinals go from here at inside linebacker. Dansby started seven games last season for the Bengals. The question for Arizona is whether he will start full time or play a support role. His signing leaves the door open to draft or sign a young inside linebacker who can spend a season learning from Dansby, like Kevin Minter did in 2013.

What's the risk: Arizona enters a risk zone if it uses Dansby as an every-down inside linebacker. At 35, he's slowed since his last season with the Cardinals, when he displayed his sideline-to-sideline quickness on a weekly basis. The Cardinals took major strides to improve their front seven by signing Chandler Jones to a five-year deal, but if Dansby is the starting inside linebacker, he may become the defense's liability.