Quarterback Jacoby Brissett reports to Cardinals' mandatory camp, though future remains unclear

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett was at the Arizona Cardinals' practice on Tuesday, walking around wearing a black hooded sweatshirt in the hot desert sun.

Edge rusher Josh Sweat was on the field as well, chatting with some of the other defensive players as he watched while they went through their workout.

The good news for the Cardinals is that two of their most important players decided to report for the team's mandatory minicamp after missing voluntary workouts earlier in the summer. The problem is it's unclear if the questions surrounding their status for the upcoming NFL season have been resolved.

“It was good to see both those guys,” Cardinals first-year coach Mike LaFleur said. “We'll just take it one day at a time. You guys saw what it was today and we'll re-evaluate.”

Brissett is seeking a re-worked contract after starting the final 12 games of last season while Sweat is reportedly unhappy with the direction of the franchise after the Cardinals finished with a 3-14 record and fired coach Jonathan Gannon, who was close with the edge rusher.

Brissett stepped in for the injured Kyler Murray last season and put up big numbers, completing more than 64% of his passes for a career-high 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns over 12 starts. But a decent chunk of that production was essentially meaningless, coming when the Cardinals were trailing by large margins.

Arizona had a 1-11 record in Brissett's 12 starts.

The 33-year-old is in the final year of a $12.5 million, two-year deal, though only $1.5 million for the upcoming season is guaranteed. If he remains the team's starter, he would be among the league's lowest-paid quarterbacks.

Brissett is popular among the Cardinals' offensive players, including All-Pro tight end Trey McBride.

“Guys are excited that he was here, guys want him to be here,” McBride said. “He's working through some things on his own, so we totally understand that. But you could tell the presence he brought today being in the building. It was awesome.”

Neither Brissett or Sweat was made available to the media on Tuesday.

The Cardinals added to their quarterback room during the offseason, bringing in veteran Gardner Minshew, whose resume looks a whole lot like Brissett's. Arizona also selected Carson Beck in the third round of April's draft and the 24-year-old figures to compete for snaps right away.

Sweat had a career-high 12 sacks last season, providing the Cardinals with an elite pass rush presence after he signed a $76.4 million, four-year deal in 2025.

LaFleur was optimistic about Sweat's situation on Tuesday. The coach noted that the edge rusher has always been a guy who had his own offseason training program and sometimes skips voluntary camps.

LaFleur said he's had productive conversations with Sweat — even if he wouldn't divulge details — and added that the main reason he didn't practice on Tuesday was that the team wanted to ease him onto the field.

“If Josh could (practice), he would right now," LaFleur said. "He's in a good spot, he looks good, looks really good. Had a good conversation with him — not worried about Josh Sweat at all.”

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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love works out during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat works out during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) works out during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat (10) and linebacker Zaven Collins (25) talk during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett talks to quarterback Carson Beck (19) during the NFL football team's practice, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday permanently blocked Alabama from executing an inmate with nitrogen gas after declaring the method violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks issued the decision a day after an appeals court reversed her ruling that the method is constitutional.

Marks permanently enjoined the state from executing Jeffery Lee by nitrogen gas. Lee was scheduled to be executed Thursday at an Alabama prison.

A spokesman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the state is reviewing the decision and considering next steps, including an appeal. The case will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously let nitrogen executions proceed.

A spokeswoman for Lee’s legal team said they did not have an immediate comment.

In her 26-page ruling, Marks said litigation is a constant in death penalty cases.

“Were Alabama to adopt firing squad as a method of execution, that method would likely be challenged as well. Indeed, there is likely no method — no matter how humane — that would be immune to constitutional challenge. But the Constitution does not guarantee a painless death, and human life cannot be purposefully extinguished without some risk of pain. The Court, the condemned, and the State must all confront that sobering reality,” Marks wrote.

Marks noted that the state has two other authorized execution methods, lethal injection and the electric chair. She said Lee is “not entitled to an injunction barring the State from executing him using one of those methods.”

Marks also ruled that the state could switch to Lee’s preferred method, a firing squad. Inmates challenging execution methods are required to suggest an alternative method.

“The State can readily obtain rifles, ammunition, and other materials necessary to carry out a firing squad execution. Additionally, the State would be able to modify space at Holman to carry out executions by firing squad. The State is also able to source and train volunteers willing to carry out such an execution,” Marks wrote.

Lee is currently housed at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.

FILE- Alabama's lethal injection chamber at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala., is pictured, Oct. 7, 2002. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

Protesters gather outside the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, June 8, 2026, to oppose an upcoming execution in Alabama. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler)