National Football League

Cribbs-to-Cards deal isn't imminent

Published Mar. 18, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The most storied kick returner in Cleveland Browns history might still be headed to Arizona, but the signing of Josh Cribbs isn’t imminent.

Cribbs visited with the Cardinals on Monday and took a team physical. Agent J.R. Rickert told FOXSports.com that Arizona decided against signing Cribbs immediately because he is still recovering from postseason knee surgery.

“Cribbs did not fail his physical,” Rickert wrote in a text message. “The team simply wanted more time for his meniscus to heal before continuing talks with us.”

Cribbs, 29, has spent all eight of his NFL seasons in Cleveland primarily as a special-teams standout and jack-of-all-trades offensive player. Cribbs was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 2000s as a kickoff returner and is the all-time leader in Browns history in that role. Cribbs also is tied for the NFL all-time record in kickoff returns for touchdowns with eight.

The new management team running the Browns has shown scant interest in re-signing Cribbs.

If signed by the Cardinals, Cribbs would likely get used as both a wide receiver and returner. Cribbs posted a career-high 41 receptions in 2011 but wasn’t a significant part of Cleveland’s passing offense in 2012. He finished with only 13 touches (seven catches; six rushes), marking his lowest production since Cribbs’ rookie campaign in 2005.

The Cardinals upgraded their special teams unit earlier in the offseason by signing linebacker Lorenzo Alexander away from Washington.