Garrett Williams’ return can’t come soon enough with Will Johnson injured

It’s been a rough couple of days for the Arizona Cardinals.

If their home-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks wasn’t bad enough, the Cardinals were dealt another tough blow.

Cornerback Will Johnson’s season could be over after suffering a neck injury late in the game.

Just like that, the Cardinals fell back to the bottom of the NFC West and now likely have to navigate the remaining 15 games without their top cornerback.

It’s not just Johnson, either, with fellow starting cornerback Max Melton considered day-to-day with a foot issue.

Arizona’s defense surprised in a Week 1 win with a dominant second half. It held Seattle to just a touchdown in the first half of Sunday’s game. Having and extending those moments just got a lot tougher with Johnson out of the picture and Melton’s status unclear.

If there was ever a time for cornerback Garrett Williams to make his season debut, it’s this week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Despite practicing the past two weeks and looking better with each day, Williams has remained sidelined as he works his way fully back from last year’s devastating Achilles tendon injury.

 

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It’s all about returning to performance, according to head coach Mike LaFleur. Arizona is surely hoping that takes place even sooner now.

Because once Williams checks those last boxes, Arizona instantly gets one of its top defenders back in the mix. As the primary nickel option across 35 career games, Williams is trusted with a lot in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ unit.

A return on Sunday would also allow Denzel Burke to move back outside after filling in as Arizona’s nickel in Williams’ absence.

With Johnson down for the long term and Melton on the mend, having Burke back outside where he led the team in both interceptions and passes defensed would be an obvious and beneficial move.

The versatility the pair bring is going to be leaned on even more.

It’s not just what Williams can bring to the field, either.

His return could serve as an added boost to the locker room morale. Losing Johnson hurts, but getting Williams in the same week would help keep spirits up ahead of another tough NFC West battle against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.

What can’t happen, though, is any expedited steps in Williams’ ramp up due to Johnson’s injury. Torn Achilles tendons are no joke, and a reinjury of any kind is the last thing Arizona’s secondary needs.

It’s going to take more than Garrett Williams

Having Williams back in the starting lineup this week would be a big plus.

He, however, isn’t going to be able to patch everything up.

Melton’s injury still lingers, and even if he is healthy, a depth piece is going to have to step up.

That’s where Kei’Trel Clark and Starling Thomas V potentially come into play.

Clark, who has played 45 games (nine starts) for Arizona, is already on the 53-man roster and filled in last week. The same goes for Kalen King.

Thomas remains on the practice squad for now but would be an obvious elevation on game day. He’s also played 29 games (22 starts) in Rallis’ defense and was trending toward starter status last year until a torn ACL in training camp wrecked that thinking.

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