Jonah Williams was playing well at right tackle during the Cardinals’ season-opening game in Buffalo as the offense moved at will against the Bills — until he hurt his knee on the final play of the first quarter.
Now, Williams finally returns.
The Cardinals activated Williams to the roster from Injured Reserve on Wednesday as his return-to-play window was about to close.
“It’s just nice to feel like I’m part of the team again out there at practice with the guys,” Williams said after practice on Wednesday. “I was rehabbing for a long time, and it’s sort of funny, like, it could be a movie or something, because there’s a bunch of glass, and I’m in the weight room and then they’re practicing and I just have my hand on the glass, like ‘It’s got to be nice to be out there.’ So it’s nice to be out.”
To make room on the roster, the Cardinals released offensive lineman Charlie Heck on Monday. Heck was re-signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.
“(Jonah) has been very comfortable jumping right back on the field with the guys,” offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. “He’s done it at a high level in his career. He really picked up where we wanted him too, and I’m excited to see him out there.”
Veteran Kelvin Beachum has started in place of Williams in eight of the nine games Williams missed (Jackson Barton started a game in which Beachum was hurt in Week 3 against Detroit.) Coach Jonathan Gannon has not yet said if Williams would go right back into the starting lineup.
Gannon said the staff would “weigh all the variables and decide what is best for the team” when it comes to starting Williams or Beachum, but praised Beachum’s play and said “I use his brain a lot.”
Beachum provided “consistency,” offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said.
“Being the same player, really not missing a beat with his guys and communicating at a high level,” Petzing added. “Effort was really good. He’s done that throughout his career. It makes him a consummate pro. You don’t play as long as he has at the level he has if that is not who you are. It’s always good, when called upon, to see it come to fruition in games.”
