Cardinals released QB Richard Bartel with an injury settlement. Bartel was placed on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in Thursday's preseason finale, but will now be free to sign with any club once he's healthy. A journeyman veteran, it bodes extremely poorly for Bartel's future that he's getting cut loose from a team with the league's worst quarterback situation.

Cardinals placed QB Richard Bartel (shoulder) and RB Javarris James (torn ACL) on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Bartel went down in Thursday's preseason finale, and almost certainly would have been released if not for his injury. A restricted free agent in the offseason, Bartel will likely be non-tendered.

Richard Bartel injured his right shoulder during Thursday's preseason finale. The injury ends any shot Bartel had at sticking on the final roster. Developmental sixth-round rookie Ryan Lindley is going to be the third quarterback behind John Skelton and Kevin Kolb.

Cardinals offered contracts to QB Rich Bartel, RB Alfonso Smith, DE Ronald Talley and LB Brandon Williams. All are ''exclusive rights'' free agents and expected to sign. Bartel appeared in two games last season and completed 46-percent of his passes. Smith, 25, spent time between the Cardinals' active roster and practice squad after going undrafted in 2010. Talley and Williams provide organizational depth.

In relief of an inept John Skelton, Richard Bartel completed 8-of-16 passes for 64 yards with a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. Bartel showed impressive arm strength, somehow getting a 23-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald through two defenders. He also looked comfortable in the pocket, checking down to Early Doucet well. However, the 49ers were in all-out prevent mode by the time Bartel got in the game. It's unclear if he or Skelton will start if Kevin Kolb (toe) can't get back for Week 12.

Richard Bartel completed 12-of-16 passes for 216 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Broncos in the preseason finale. He can sling it. Bartel finished the preseason an eye-popping 37-of-54 (68.5 percent) for 530 yards (9.8 YPA) and a 5-2 TD-to-INT ratio for a passer rating near 110.0. He's earned the No. 2 job over John Skelton, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury.