Jonah Williams, the Arizona Cardinals’ starting right tackle, injured his knee during their season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills and has been placed on injured reserve.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced the move on Wednesday, stating he wouldn’t speculate on how long Williams would be out. By being placed on injured reserve, Williams is required to miss at least four games.
Kelvin Beachum, a veteran player, is a possible replacement for Williams, as he stepped in after the injury.
Gannon expressed confidence in any player stepping in, noting that while Beachum’s experience is reassuring, they trust whoever takes over to get the job done.
Before joining the Cardinals on a two-year, $30 million deal in the offseason, the 6-foot-5, 312-pound Williams spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Alabama.
Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Cardinals on his NFL debut: “It Wasn’t Great”
As far as rookie wide receivers go, Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals has had a difficult NFL debut, and it seems that the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft is well aware of it.
Harrison was targeted three times in his 34-28 Week 1 defeat to the Bills, where he made his NFL debut with just one reception for four yards.
Harrison recently spoke with reporters about his NFL debut, saying, “I mean, obviously it wasn’t great.” It most certainly wasn’t what I had hoped for, expected, or what the team had wanted to happen. You obviously expected to win, and that’s not what happened.
Harrison continued by saying he thought he could have done more to support the group and ignite the offensive.
“I need to open up and grab the ball. I work as a receiver to do that. That’s what your job description says. I need to do a better job of that, he continued.
Harrison’s performance against the Bills was as poor as it gets, but as he gets used to the NFL, he will undoubtedly improve. Prior to this, he didn’t suit up for the final two preseason games and only played three snaps in the Cardinals’ opening game against the New Orleans Saints. When the Cardinals play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the Buckeyes product will have an opportunity to make amends.
Harrison Jr. was a standout student at Ohio State and the son of Colts icon and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Over his three years in Ohio, he caught 150 passes for 2,495 yards and 31 touchdowns as a wide receiver.