CARDINALS CORNER

Cardinals designate OT Christian Jones to return from IR, waiting on DL Darius Robinson

Oct 2, 2024, 10:11 AM | Updated: 10:47 am

YouTube video

TEMPE — The Arizona Cardinals designated rookie Christian Jones to return from injured reserve, head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday. Defensive tackle Darius Robinson and cornerback Elijah Jones, however, have yet to have their windows opened after spending the minimum of four weeks to start the season on IR.

Arizona additionally signed kicker Chad Ryland to the practice squad, placed veteran defensive tackle Angelo Blackson on the practice squad injured reserve and released practice squad offensive tackle Austen Pleasants.

Gannon added that tight end Trey McBride, who missed the loss Sunday to the Washington Commanders while under concussion protocols, will return to practice. So will defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (knee).

The fact that Robinson’s and Jones’ windows have not opened yet makes it appear unlikely they would be ready to play this week at the San Francisco 49ers.

Jones, on the other hand, now has 21 days to be activated off the IR. He found himself on the IR due to an ankle issue suffered in Arizona’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

“He’s missed a lot of time, but I thought in preseason, he did a good job of kind of the role of a tackle,” Gannon said Monday. “He can pass pro and he can generate movement in the run game. I liked where he was at. It was unfortunate the injury, but he’s ready to go.”

While Jones found himself down on the depth chart throughout training camp and preseason, the fifth-round tackle out of Texas has a shot at earning snaps given the injuries plaguing the position.

Right tackle Jonah Williams could be out for a significant chunk of the season with a knee injury, and Week 3 starter Jackson Barton is on IR with a toe issue. Arizona’s depth is mighty thin behind Kelvin Beachum.

Beachum hasn’t been impervious to injury, either, missing Week 3 with a hamstring injury that kept him limited throughout practice last week.

The veteran did make it back on the field for Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders, but if he were to miss any more time, that would leave Jones (if healthy) and practice squad member Charlie Heck to back him up.

Darius Robinson still on injured reserve for Cardinals

Robinson, the 27th overall pick and projected starter, was placed on the IR with a calf injury in August and hurt himself the same day as the 53-man roster cut deadline.

Even though he’s yet to take a regular season snap, getting the versatile Robinson back in the mix could be huge for a defensive line that has struggled both on the ground and through the air in recent weeks.

Before he went down, Robinson was among Arizona’s biggest standouts through training camp. The No. 27 overall pick out of Missouri wasted little time showing off his versatility and strength.

All signs pointed to him earning a starting role or at the very least being an integral part of the defensive line rotation right out of the gates.

Losing starting defensive tackle Justin Jones for the rest of the year with a triceps injury has only added to the struggles up front.

Cardinals Corner

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes QB Kyler Murray has yet to hit his ceiling....

Tyler Drake

Gannon: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray hasn’t hit his ceiling yet

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes there's still more to unlock when it comes to franchise quarterback Kyler Murray.

1 day ago

Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride celebrates after a play. For a third straight game, the tight end...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Trey McBride has a hurdling problem

He swears he's trying to quit. But like a moth to a flame, Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride just can't get away from his hurdling habits.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker runs during a game against the New York Jets....

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker’s impact on Arizona Cardinals cannot be quantified

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker continues to show why he's one of the best in the game as contract decisions loom large this offseason.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks to throw during his team's Week 10 win over the New York Je...

Tyler Drake

Kyler Murray ‘not satisfied’ by 4-game win streak, Week 10 effort vs. Jets

Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is hungry for more following his team's fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker celebrates midgame. The safety reached 100 tackles for the season a...

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker notches 5th season with at least 100 tackles

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker needed just 10 games to hit the 100-tackle mark in 2024 after registering nine against the New York Jets.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs the rock against the New York Jets. The Cardinals remain ato...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals head into bye week with NFC West lead in hand

The Arizona Cardinals kept their NFC West lead intact behind an absolute throttling of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Sunday.

3 days ago

Cardinals designate OT Christian Jones to return from IR, waiting on DL Darius Robinson