The Cardinals are opening the practice window for offensive tackle Jonah Williams, head coach Jonathan Gannon announced on Wednesday, bringing the veteran lineman one step closer to rejoining Arizona’s offense after suffering a knee injury in Week 1.
Williams signed with the Cardinals on a two-year, $30MM deal in the offseason to start at right tackle opposite 2023 sixth overall pick Paris Johnson on the left side. He played just 22 snaps in Arizona before injuring his knee and landing on injured reserve on September 11.
Veteran Kelvin Beachum took over for Williams in Week 1 and has started at right tackle since outside of a Week 3 absence that required Jackson Barton and Charlie Heck to play crucial snaps. Beachum took some time to settle in, allowing nine pressures across Weeks 1-5, but has not allowed one since with clean pass protection performances in Weeks 6-8, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Williams will have 21 days to practice with the team and get up to full strength before he must be activated or revert to season-ending injured reserve. Arizona has declined to disclose the specific nature of Williams’ injury, so they may continue that cautious approach and hold the 26-year-old out until later in November.
The Cardinals’ 53-man roster is full as of Wednesday, so they will need to clear a roster spot in the coming weeks to make room for Williams. Rookie Christian Jones was activated from injured reserve last week, so Arizona could move one from one of their other offensive linemen with multiple tackles back in the fold.