Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jonah Williams has been designated to return Wednesday, allowing him on the practice field with 21 days to determine if he is activated to the 53-man roster.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced the positive step forward for Williams, who signed a two-year deal as a free agent this offseason.
Arizona Cardinals OT Jonah Williams is expected back on the practice field today, per head coach Jonathan Gannon. pic.twitter.com/WbRopumWyt
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) October 30, 2024
Arizona also on Wednesday added defensive end Anthony Goodlow and linebacker Milo Eifler to the practice squad.
It was unclear if Williams’ knee injury suffered in Week 1 would keep him out for the rest of the season, but the tackle’s return to the practice field signifies he’s got a good chance of doing so with nine games left this season.
Williams, who began the year as the starting right tackle, has since been replaced by veteran Kelvin Beachum.
Now that he’s been designated to return, his window runs past the next two games, at home against the Chicago Bears (Sunday) and New York Jets (Nov. 10). It runs through Arizona’s bye in Week 11.
Out of the bye, the Cardinals visit the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 24.
His potential return adds promise for a team currently in a tiebreaking lead for the NFC West through a 4-4 start. Arizona has played lately without its projected starters at both right tackle and right guard, as Will Hernandez is out for the year with a knee injury.
The Cardinals have held up decently since, especially in pass protection. Quarterback Kyler Murray has not been sacked in the past three games, the first time a Cardinals quarterback has not been sacked over a three-game span since the 1975 season.