The Cardinals’ defense could welcome a pair of reinforcements in the approaching weeks. Head coach Jonathan Gannon announced that the Cardinals opened cornerback Garrett Williams‘ 21-day practice window on Tuesday. Gannon added that the team will open outside linebacker BJ Ojulari‘s practice window on Thursday.
Now 2-5 after suffering five straight one-score losses, the Cardinals are coming off their bye and can face the Cowboys on Monday. While it’s unclear if Williams will likely be ready for that game, it will be ideal to have him back against a high-flying Cowboys attack.
Williams, who played each slot and outdoors corner early this season, was in on almost every Cardinals defensive snap before occurring IR with a knee injury after Week 2. The Cardinals began 2-0 with Williams within the fold. The third-year man broke out last season with 58 tackles, nine passes defensed, and two interceptions over 16 games (11 starts). Pro Football Focus ranked Williams because the third-best corner within the NFL in 2024.
In Williams’ absence this season, the Cardinals have used safeties Jalen Thompson and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in nickel situations. Second-round rookie Will Johnson has received increased playing time on the skin. The Cardinals’ defense has fared respectably without Williams. The unit ranks seventh in passer rating against and thirteenth in points per game allowed, and it should get even stronger once Williams rejoins the fray.
Arizona hasn’t gotten anything from Ojulari since 2023, his rookie season. The previous second-rounder from LSU appeared in all 17 games in his first yr and picked up 40 tackles and 4 sacks. He tore his ACL throughout the ensuing summer and hasn’t played since. Ojulari, who opened this season on the reserve/PUP list, will give the Cardinals extra pass-rushing depth at OLB behind Josh Sweat and Baron Browning if he’s healthy enough to return in the subsequent three weeks. Sweat and Browning have combined for seven of the Cardinals’ 12 sacks.
Arizona also made a couple of minor moves on Tuesday, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. After the Cardinals released running back Michael Carter and cornerback Darren Hall on Monday, they re-signed the pair to their practice squad. At the identical time, they released two receivers – Bryson Green and D’Ernest Johnson – and tight end Nick Muse from the P-squad.