Arizona Cardinals OT Jonah Williams headed to injured reserve
Sep 11, 2024, 9:48 AM | Updated: Sep 12, 2024, 11:42 am
Medical personal check on Jonah Williams #73 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals starting right tackle Jonah Williams will head to injured reserve, knocking him out for at least four games after suffering a knee injury in Week 1, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday.
“Not going to speculate on the time, when he’s going to get back, what that’s going to look like,” Gannon added. “Still gathering more information about that.”
The Cardinals made the move official after Gannon spoke, additionally announcing the signing of linebacker Julian Okwara to the 53-man roster off the practice squad. Arizona also signed offensive lineman Charlie Heck to the practice squad.
That puts Williams on the sidelines for games at home against the Rams, Lions and Commanders, plus a visit to the 49ers. He could be eligible to return at Green Bay on Oct. 13 if the injury allows it.
Arizona Cardinals RT Jonah Williams is headed to the IR with the knee injury he suffered in Week 1’s loss to the Bills, per head coach Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/nmw7GvZIEM
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 11, 2024
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Williams was hurt on the final play of the first quarter in Arizona’s 34-28 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He was able to walk off under his own power.
Williams is among the newcomers to the Cardinals’ offensive line in 2024 after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Veteran swing tackle Kelvin Beachum, who made 48 starts at right tackle for the Cardinals from 2020-22, stepped in Sunday to play 39 snaps while closing out the rest of the game.
In his place, Beachum struggled, with Pro Football Focus crediting two sacks on quarterback Kyler Murray to the man Beachum was tasked with blocking. Beachum also gave up two more hurries.
Beachum’s overall PFF grade registered at a 59.6, with more of the veteran’s struggles coming in pass protection compared to run-blocking.
“Those are two good edge rushers with Von Miller and (Greg) Rousseau,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo said Monday. “There’s a couple plays I’m sure he wants back but I thought he came in and battled and did a pretty good job.”
Meanwhile, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.’s first start since moving to the blind side saw the second-year pro post an 83.9. Hernandez finished just behind Johnson, in fourth, for the best overall PFF grade on the team.
