Before facing a Rams team that is having a host of offensive line injury issues, the Cardinals have to deal with one of their one.
Starting right tackle Jonah Williams, who injured his right knee on the final play of the first quarter in the opener in Buffalo, was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday.
Veteran Kelvin Beachum replaced Williams in the lineup at Buffalo after the injury. Beachum, in his 13th season, has started 149 games in his career, including 50 for the Cardinals since arriving in 2022.
“Anyone that goes into the game we feel good about,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Yes, there is a comfort level with Beach being the veteran that he is and how many games he’s played.”
Williams must miss a minimum of four games, meaning the earliest he could return would be the road trip to Green Bay in Week 6. Gannon said he wouldn’t speculate about when or if Williams will return this season. He added he was “not sure yet” if Williams will need surgery.
“It is a part of playing in the league and that’s the unfortunate part,” left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. said. “We were hyped to have him here with us. Our goal was to have the best tackle tandem in the league. That was our mindset.
“For him to go down, we hope his recovery is quick. We are also thankful Beach is prepared.”
Replacing Williams on the active roster is outside linebacker Julian Okwara, who was signed as a practice squad promotion. Okwara has nine career sacks and could be in the pass-rush mix against the Rams on Sunday.
The Cardinals also signed veteran tackle Charlie Heck, who started 21 of his 41 games over four years playing for the Houston Texans, to the practice squad.
“It hurts any time one of your starting O-linemen go down,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “Beach has played, I don’t know what year this is — they always joke about how he’s everybody’s grandpa. He’s great though. He’s played a ton of football and I’ve been around him for quite some time. I’m very comfortable with him being in the game.”
