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

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.

“I feel like the kid’s going to ball this year. Arguably might be Defensive Rookie of the Year if he stays on the track that I think he’s going to be on.”

Arizona Cardinals DL L.J. Collier is expecting big things out of rookie Darius Robinson. pic.twitter.com/J7D2xU4sa7

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) August 21, 2024

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.

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