Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson is expected to miss time due to a sprained MCL, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Johnson, 24, left Sunday’s game against the Rams and did not return. He was replaced by undrafted rookie Josh Fryar, who has become a regular figure in Arizona’s offense in the last month. He has played 87 snaps in the last four weeks, including a Week 11 start at right tackle, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Fryar will likely start in Johnson’s place in Week 15 if the 2023 first-round pick cannot go.
Johnson has been one of the few consistent bright spots for the Cardinals offense in 2025. He played every snap until he injured his knee and his 76.6 grade from PFF is second on the team to tight end Trey McBride.
The injury does not seem to be serious enough to justify a long-term absence, and the Cardinals may even see how Johnson looks in practice this week before ruling him out for their next game against the Texans. Houston’s pass rush has been fierce this season, and Johnson would have played a major role in slowing down Danielle Hunter on the blind side.
The third-year offensive tackle has made a strong case for his fifth-year option to be picked up this offseason. Johnson has already reached the second-tier price of $19.95MM based on his playtime, per OverTheCap, and a Pro Bowl nod would push his 2027 cost to $24.63MM. He is currently leading fan voting for the Pro Bowl, per Rapoport, but he will need support from players and coaches to add that extra $4.68MM to his earning potential.
Johnson will also be eligible for a long-term extension this offseason. He played left tackle during his final year at Ohio State but struggled when flipped to the right side in Arizona. Johnson moved back to left tackle in 2024 and has put together two solid seasons, which should position him for a strong extension in the next two years. The left tackle market is now well over $25MM per year for the best players, and Johnson’s age and potential could have him knocking on that door in long-term contract talks.