Phoenix Settles With Safety McDonald

The NFL’s Phoenix Cardinals agreed to contract terms today with Pro Bowl safety Tim McDonald, traded cornerback Carl Carter to Cincinnati and waived three players, including two draft picks.

McDonald, a four-year veteran who had a team-leading seven interceptions while earning $180,000 last year, was expected to officially end his 29-day training camp holdout by signing a contract and participating in this afternoon’s practice here.

Financial details were not immediately available, but McDonald had sought a two-year, $1.45-million contract. The Cardinals had been offering about $200,000 less.

Carter, a five-year veteran and a starter since 1986, lost his starting right cornerback job this preseason to second-year pro Jay Taylor and was traded to the Bengals for linebacker Chris Chenault.

The Cardinals lowered their preseason roster to 78 players--two under the league limit--by releasing rookie tight end David Elle, rookie linebacker Ken McMichel and free-agent defensive back Preston Waters.

Elle was a 10th-round draft pick from South Dakota, McMichel a 12th-rounder from Oklahoma. Waters was signed as a free agent in April.