The Cardinals designated offensive tackle Jordan Mills to return from the injured reserve on Tuesday, according to Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. Arizona has been without their starting right tackle since Week 4.
Mills was signed in Week 2 after the team’s starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Justin Murray got the first crack at Gilbert’s spot along the offensive line, but Arizona shifted to Mills after a week. However, in Week 4, Mills was touch-and-go with a knee injury and was only able to play sparingly. After the game the team placed him on injured reserve, returning Murray to the starting lineup.
A seven-year veteran, Mills is one of the most experienced blockers along the Cardinals offensive line. Since entering the league in 2013, Mills has started 84 games at right tackle, including all of the Bills 48 regular-season games from 2016-2018. While he has never been considered an elite player, he has been a consistent option.
The young Cardinals have had a productive first season under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray has led a top-ten offense without much help along the offensive line. Mills, who is eligible to return in Week 14, could help improve the unit. Now that Mills has been designated for return, he will get to practice for up to 21 days before the team must place him back on the 53-man roster or return him to IR for the rest of the season.