TEMPE — The Arizona Cardinals didn’t get more than 22 offensive snaps from free agent signing and starting right tackle Jonah Williams before he was placed lost to a knee injury in the season opener.
There have been few updates regarding his status since the Week 2 move to place him on injured reserve, leaving many to wonder if he will even make it back to the trenches this year.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon, who had said on Sept. 11 he wasn’t going to speculate on a timeline for Williams, did little to alleviate that fear on Wednesday morning.
“We’ll see. Hypotheticals, I don’t know,” he said Wednesday when asked if Williams was expected back this year.
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Gannon did add Williams was doing well but did not provide any other information regarding his progress.
The earliest Williams can come off the IR is in Week 6 — that is if he’s healthy enough to go by then.
But while there is plenty of unknown surrounding Williams’ status, the Cardinals could be getting some added clarity regarding fellow right tackle and Week 2 starter Kelvin Beachum.
The veteran, who logged his 150th start against the Los Angeles Rams, was back practicing Wednesday after missing last week’s contest with a hamstring issue that popped up midweek.
Kelvin Beachum a.k.a Grandpa was back practicing during the open portion of Arizona Cardinals practice on Wednesday.
Did not see TE Trey McBride or OL Jackson Barton. pic.twitter.com/C5JJoZSFNF
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 25, 2024
He’ll have to get through the week of practice before getting the green light, but it’s a promising development for Arizona’s O-line, especially given the depth at tackle.
With Week 3 starter and practice squad member Jackson Barton headed to injured reserve with a toe issue suffered Sunday, the Cardinals’ next best option is another practice squader in Charlie Heck.
Heck played 11 offensive snaps once Barton went down but allowed two quarterback pressures against Detroit pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Heck does have 21 games of starting experience from his four years (2020-23) with the Houston Texans.
Beyond him, the cupboard is pretty barren given Christian Jones’ place on injured reserve.
If Arizona was really in a pinch, it could roll out rookie guard Isaiah Adams.
Despite his role as a backup guard, Adams does have some prior experience lining up on the outside. In his final season at Illinois, he was used primarily at right tackle, recording 730 of his 840 offensive snaps at the position.
Arizona also re-signed tackle Austen Pleasants to the practice squad as another potential option.