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The Cardinals lost their top perimeter CB Will Johnson (neck) to injured reserve this week. Fellow perimeter CB Max Melton (toe) is questionable to play. Williams suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture last year, and returns this week to man the slot.
Williams is not yet ready to return from his season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. On the plus side, DT Roy Lopez (groin) will play this week, and RG Isaiah Adams (knee) will make his 2026 debut. Beck will serve as the emergency third quarterback against the division rival Seahawks.
The Cardinals will also be without S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ribs) and RG Isaiah Adams (knee). Williams is working his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 16 of last season. He was able to avoid the PUP list to start the season and has been a limited participant in practice all week, but head coach Mike LaFleur is opting to give him at least one more week of rest before putting him on the field. We’ll see if he’s able to suit up in Week 2 when the Cardinals play host to the Seahawks.
Williams spent Weeks 3-8 on injured reserve with a knee injury last year. He later ruptured an Achilles tendon in Week 16. He totaled three pass breakups, one interception, 37 tackles and three quarterback pressures while active.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Monday that Williams would miss the remainder of the season. The former third-round pick suffered a torn Achilles in Week 16’s loss to the Falcons and will now spend the next several months rehabbing in hopes of returning sometime in 2026. Williams started all 10 games he appeared in this season for the Cardinals, totaling 46 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Williams exited Sunday’s game against the Falcons with a non-contact Achilles injury and had to be carted from the field. The third-year vet will undergo an MRI to confirm, but the injury had the look of a season-ender long before this report. Williams has started 21 of the 26 games he’s appeared in over the last two seasons for the Cardinals and has tallied five pass breakups and one interception this year.
Williams backpedaled in coverage, pivoted to his right and attempted to push off his left leg. Instead, the leg gave out. Williams looked behind him, seemingly investigating whether an opponent had made contact with his lower body. He then began hopping on his right leg, unable to put weight on his left leg. Sadly, this looks to be a fairly straightforward Achilles tendon rupture. He was eventually carted away after the trainers met with him on the field. Williams recorded three pass breakups and one interception this season.
Williams suffered the knee injury in Week 2 against the Panthers and will be sidelined for the near future. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Williams will be placed on injured reserve with a chance to return. Meanwhile, CB Max Melton (knee) was a limited practice participant. Losing Williams and potentially Will Johnson (groin) for Week 3 is a tough blow to the secondary, but Melton at least has a shot to play against an equally banged-up 49ers receiving group.
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