ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ John Abraham gets familiar jersey number back

Sep 4, 2013, 9:32 PM | Updated: 9:33 pm

Admit it — you thought Arizona Cardinals linebacker John Abraham looked weird wearing number 53.

Abraham had worn jersey number 55 for seven years in Atlanta, racking up 68.5 sacks in the process.

But upon his signing with the Cardinals right before the start of training camp in July, Abraham was given #53 because #55 was taken by Karlos Dansby, who signed with the team in May.

But Sunday, when the Cardinals open their season in St. Louis against the Rams, Abraham will be back with the familiar double-nickel on his chest and back.

“Getting 55, and the success I had with it, it felt good, so I think that was a big thing for me,” Abraham said following Wednesday’s practice, adding that he’s been on Dansby for awhile about securing the number.

“I don’t know if it was a month-long process or not, but damn it, it worked,” he joked. “I can’t even put no time on it. All I know is when I first got here, I said I wanted it and we finally got it done.”

Dansby, who wore number 58 in his first stint with the Cardinals from 2004 to 2009 and can’t wear it now because it’s taken by Pro Bowl linebacker Daryl Washington, switched to number 56. The veteran says Abraham owes him.

“The only way he can make it comfortable for me is to get a sack every game,” Dansby said. “You get a sack every game, I’m cool.”

Dansby and Abraham aren’t the only Cardinals who have switched numbers. Veteran safety Rashad Johnson has changed from number 49 to number 26, but says there’s no real significance to it.

“No real reasoning behind it,” Johnson said. “It felt like time for a change, something I wanted to do. I’ve been looking to change and I felt like this was a perfect opportunity to do it.

“There’s no real significance behind the number 26 to me at all. Six and two equals eight and eight equals new beginnings.”

Other uniform number changes: Rookie safety Tony Jefferson switched from #36 to #22,linebacker Jasper Brinkley switched from #54 to #52 and offensive tackle Eric Winston switched from #65 to #73.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

3 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ John Abraham gets familiar jersey number back