Trading size for speed, the Arizona Cardinals churned the backend of their receiver room Friday by releasing 6-foot-2 wideout Isaac Whitney and signing slot man Aleva Hifo.
Arizona signed Whitney to the practice squad in August.
He was pulled off the COVID-19 reserve list on Monday along with center Rodney Hudson, guard Justin Pugh, right tackle Kelvin Beachum, plus receivers Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson. Those players were placed under the protocols on July 29.
The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Hifo went undrafted out of BYU and spent last training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. He brings 4.41-second speed (recorded at a 2020 pro day) in the 40-yard dash.
Hifo played four seasons at BYU, posting 1,336 total yards on 118 catches with seven touchdowns. He added four scores on the ground and 233 rushing yards.
As a senior in 2019, he recorded 483 yards on 42 receptions to go with 23 carries for 104 yards, scoring five combined touchdowns.
Hifo joins a training camp receiver group that includes sub-6-foot speedsters Rondale Moore (5-foot-7), Greg Dorch (5-foot-7), Andy Isabella (5-foot-9), JoJo Ward (5-foot-9), Andre Baccellia (5-foot-10) and Christian Kirk (5-foot-11).