Will Johnson

Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said on Monday that Johnson (neck) could miss the remainder of the season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news today about Johnson being placed on injured reserve, though he did not specify whether Johnson’s season is for sure over. Cardinals slot CB Garrett Williams (Achilles) and perimeter CB2 Max Melton (toe) are also dealing with injuries.

This comes a day after LaFleur said he did not believe Johnson suffered a serious injury in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. The loss of Johnson would be another blow to a secondary that is already short Garrett Williams (Achilles) and also lost Max Melton (toe) in Week 2. Johnson leads all Cardinals DBs with 111 snaps through the first two weeks, and he appeared on 722 snaps last season. We’ll likely get a clearer timeline for Johnson’s absence in the coming days.

The Cardinals are already without slot CB Garrett Williams, who has not yet returned from last season’s Achilles tendon rupture. Johnson and Melton start on the perimeter. Losing one or both could be consequential against the 49ers next week.

The Cardinals’ rookie cornerback will miss his third straight game. Fortunately, CB Garrett Williams (ankle) is active. Browning (concussion) and Harrison (appendicitis) have been unable to practice over the last two weeks. Cardinals RB Bam Knight should handle a sizable workload with Demercado (ankle) ruled out and RB Trey Benson (knee) not yet ready to return from injured reserve. Benson should be stashed at this time.

Johnson has a chance to return this week, after practicing in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. Cardinals LB Baron Browning (concussion) has, unfortunately, been ruled out once more. He was unable to resume practicing as he works through his brain injury. Fellow CB Garrett Williams (ankle) is also questionable.

Johnson and LB Baron Browning (concussion) remained sidelined all week. The team is also without LB Mack Wilson (ribs). The three defenders will be missed against the 49ers, whose offensive health is improving. Both QB Brock Purdy (toe) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) will return to action this week.

Johnson missed Week 10 with back/hip issues and is trending to miss Week 11 as well. Also not practicing on the defense were LB Baron Browning (concussion), LB Mack Wilson (ribs), or S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle). The Cardinals defense is hurting heading into a Week 11 matchup against the 49ers and each of these players will need to log a practice to have a chance to play.

Neither will (inhale): CB Max Melton (concussion), LB BJ Ojulari (knee), or LB Mack Wilson (ribs) — the good news is that Budda Baker (hamstring) upgraded to full today and has been removed from the injury report. Arizona’s defense looked good against the Cowboys on Monday night, but their cornerback depth will be tested against Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed.

It’s a brutal blow to a Cardinals defense that will also be without starting cornerback Max Melton (concussion). The Cardinals will need to make due with backups Kei’Trel Clark and Elijah Jones against a Seahawks offense that is fresh off a dominant performance against the Commanders in which Sam Darnold threw for 330-4-1 while completing 70.4 percent of his passes. In addition to Johnson and Melton being out, the Cardinals will also keep LB BJ Ojulari (knee) sidelined for at least one more week after he was limited in every practice.

The Cardinals’ stud rookie cornerback was a limited participant yesterday. Mid-week downgrades are never good. Johnson has been playing through a groin injury intermittently this season. Perhaps a week off would do him some good. Unfortunately, the Cardinals face the division-rival Seahawks in Week 10.

Johnson missed Weeks 3-4 with a groin injury. A recurrence seems likely. The Cardinals’ secondary has lost multiple starters and/or contributors to injury this season. If Johnson cannot play in Week 9, as appears likely, the unit will have a tough time containing Cowboys WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on Monday night.

Johnson went down with a groin injury in Week 2 and has been out ever since. He is listed as questionable for Week 5. The rookie was playing a part-time role to start the year and will likely return to something similar for his first game back. Johnson had four pass break-ups and four tackles through two games.

Johnson did not practice all week after already missing Week 3. He is listed as doubtful to play Thursday against the Seahawks. Meanwhile, fellow CB Darren Hall (ankle) is listed as questionable. Also questionable are LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (elbow) and OL Kelvin Beachum (knee), Evan Brown (heel), Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), and Will Hernandez (knee). Missing Johnson and Brown especially would deplete the left side of the Cardinals’ offensive line.

Johnson did not practice last week and missed the Cardinals’ Week 3 game against the 49ers. The rookie got off to a good start the first two weeks of the season, but a groin injury is now causing him to miss time. He was estimated as a non-participant for both Monday and Tuesday, so it is unlikely we see him on Thursday against the Seahawks.

The Cardinals enter Week 3 undermanned on both sides of the ball. On offense, Kyler Murray will take on a talented San Francisco pass-rush without his left tackle. Paris Johnson was limited in practice throughout the week but will miss this contest with an eye on a Week 4 return.

Johnson’s teammate, CB Max Melton, is questionable to play with a knee injury. He was limited in practice all week. Johnson was completely unable to participate. Injuries are never good, but the Cardinals may be catching a break this week, facing the Mac Jones-led 49ers. Jones is without George Kittle (hamstring), and Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) is questionable to play despite failing to practice.

The Cardinals’ rookie second-round pick missed Wednesday’s practice session with a groin issue. Through two games, the 22-year-old has a 75.0 PFF grade, good for No. 18 among cornerbacks. If he cannot go on Sunday, Elijah Jones is in line for the start.

He was one of the final three rookies not signed, and he leaves Shemar Stewart and Quinshon Judkins as the only unsigned players entering training camp. Johnson is expected to compete to start for the Cardinals instantly in his first season, as there are only waiver claims and late-camp additions competing with him for the job next to 2023 third-rounder Garrett Williams and 2024 second-rounder Max Melton.

Johnson would have gone much, much higher than this if not for concerns about his knee. He also succumbed to a turf toe injury that derailed his final season early, while a hamstring injury caused him to not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine or pro day. He allowed 12.2 yards per reception in 2024, which was a nice improvement from the 15.7 YPR he gave up in 2023, but his disappointing 48.7 tackle grade left much to be desired. Somewhat prone to overrunning plays which caused Johnson to post an elevated 15.7% missed tackle rate over his three years on campus. He possesses a long frame and is strong enough to disrupt receiver’s tempo and break on the ball with a gambler’s mentality. Johnson flashes big play ability with three interceptions returned for touchdowns, and has the skill set to be a top corner at the highest level.

“It shouldn’t affect him in the short term, but teams are concerned it could impact his longevity. Add to the questions on Johnson’s long speed, which were not allayed when he decided not to run a 40, and the Wolverine star could slide,” Breer writes. A staple of the top-fives in way-too-soon mock drafts all of last summer and fall, Johnson’s speed and medical flags could have him slipping into the back half of the first round. Or further.