Tag: Jon Gaines

OL Jon Gaines II honored as Cardinals’ Pat Tillman Scout Team Player of the Week

Gaines got to wear the No. 40 Pat Tillman jersey in practice this week.

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jon Gaines II was born in the year when Pat Tillman was in his second season with the team.

But Gaines has made sure to know who went before him and it was brought to the surface this week when he wore a No. 40 jersey in practice as the Pat Tillman Scout Team Player of the Week.

Asked how much he knew about Tillman before being selected by the Cardinals in the 2023 draft, Gaines said, “I’m a quirky NFL guy, football guy, so I’ve known about Pat Tillman for a long time. I understand the sacrifice that he made for his country, for the people that he loved. It’s like history class. You gotta know your past to be able to attack your future the right way.”

Gaines notices how the NFL has a veteran’s presence on a regular basis.

“We honor veterans every single game,” he said. “Teams all around the league, home game or away game. I feel like the NFL and the military are very intertwined and it’s a very patriotic league. My grandfather was in the military; he was in the Army for 20 years, so being able to honor those who served is a really big thing for me.”

It made wearing the Tillman jersey all the more special.

Gaines said, “It’s a blessing to be able to receive that honor for a week. Knowing how much Pat Tillman meant to the NFL, to this organization. The intent that he had every single day and it’s great to be recognized for having intent like that or close to that and be able to replicate it just a little bit and be able to help our defense be able to go out and perform. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

Gaines said it’s important that head coach Jonathan Gannon created the weekly award.

“I think it means a lot,” he said. “I think especially if you’re not the guy on the film all the time, you have a feeling; it’s natural to think you sometimes might feel like you’re going unnoticed. But they’re (coaches) very passionate about developing everybody. It’s a team game. We help everybody get better regardless of your position and then owning your role is such a big thing here.

“So being able to do whatever it is that you need to do to help the team win and perform; that’s all that really matters.”

The award can definitely be a motivator and Gaines is the first one from the 53-man roster to capture the award after practice squad players were honored the first three weeks.

Gaines concluded, “Especially missing the year with an injury, the fact that our coaches are so passionate about just having intent every single day and that’s something you want to carry with you because every day matters. And being able to have that attitude, you got great guys on the team that all feel that same way too. Being able to be around a group of guys that all believe that every single day matters, you practice like you will play.”

2024 Pat Tillman Award Winners

  • Week 1: RB Michael Carter
  • Week 2: LB Markus Bailey
  • Week 3: WR Andre Baccellia
  • Week 4: OL Jon Gaines II

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

O-line reps shuffled a bit as Jon Gaines gets work with starters

The Cardinals had some changes in their practice rotations on the offensive line, which included a different left guard for part of the day.

The Arizona Cardinals returned to practice at State Farm Stadium on Sunday after a day off in training camp and had some rotational changes on the offensive line. Most notably, second-year lineman Jon Gaines, coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in the preseason finale last year, got reps with the first-team offensive line.

Gaines was seen with the first-team line at left guard instead of Evan Brown, who has been practicing with the starters there since the spring. He also had second-team reps at left guard.

While this is something that often happens with teams trying to manage reps when there are player injuries, the Cardinals are healthy.

Gaines’ first-team reps were just in one portion of practice. With Gaines getting those reps with the starters, Brown took second-team reps at center. Brown, of course, started at center last season for the Seattle Seahawks and for the Detroit Lions in 2022.

The change shows two things. One reason for it could simply be to make sure that Brown gets some reps at center. But it also does show where Gaines fits on the depth chart at the moment.

There were a couple of other notable changes on the offensive line.

Elijah Wilkinson, who started nine games at left guard last season and has played both guard spots and right tackle in his career, was at left tackle with the second-team line.

Jackson Barton, who has been a tackle, was at right guard with the third unit.

Kelvin Beachum got work at right tackle with the second unit.

Rookie Isaiah Adams, one of the Cardinals’ third-round picks, got reps at both right and left guard.

Here is how the offensive line units looked from left to right:

  • Starters: Paris Johnson, Evan Brown (some reps to Jon Gaines), Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams
  • Second team: Elijah Wilkinson, Jon Gaines/Isaiah Adams/Marquis Hayes, Trystan Colon/Evan Brown, Dennis Daley/Isaiah Adams, Kelvin Beachum
  • Third team: Austen Pleasants, Marquis Hayes, Keith Ismael, Jackson Barton, Christian Jones

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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OL Jon Gaines likely limited to start training camp

Gaines missed all last season with a knee injury. He is cleared to practice as camp starts but will be limited at the beginning.

As the Arizona Cardinals hit the practice field Wednesday for the first day of practice in training camp, they did it with offensive lineman Jon Gaines II not on the PUP (active/physically unable to perform) list.

Gaines was turning heads during training camp last summer after being selected in the fourth round of the draft, but suffered a torn ACL in the final preseason game against the Vikings and was on injured reserve for the entire season.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed before practice that Gaines “will start a little bit limited, but he’s doing a great job. The athletic training staff did a great job with him, our sports performance staff did a great job with him. He’s champing at the bit to get going.”

Gaines is expected to compete at center and guard and could eventually be in the mix at left guard.

Gannon revealed that Gaines “took a little honeymoon with his wife this summer, but not for long. And he was in here every day and they (staff) were in here every day with him. Credit to all those people to get him ready to be at this point where he’s not on PUP and he’s not really limited here as we get going. Other than that, we’re all healthy and ready to go.”

That is, other than offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who was waived/injured Tuesday and reverted to injured reserve when he cleared waivers Wednesday.

Asked if the injury occurred during offseason training, Gannon would only say it was something that was “reoccurring.” The coach added, “He’ll get another chance.”

O’Donnell will remain on injured reserve until he’s healthy or an injury settlement is reached. He had been re-signed to a one-year contract worth $915,000 as a potential exclusive-rights free agent prior to the start of the league year in March.

Gannon said there has been no addition to replace O’Donnell, so there are currently 90 players on the roster.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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2024 Cardinals roster preview: OL Jon Gaines II

We will preview every player on the Cardinals’ roster heading into training camp. This is about offensive lineman Jon Gaines.

The Arizona Cardinals will open training camp July 23 and begin the process of preparing for the regular season, forming the roster and determining starting jobs and roles on the team.

Leading up to the start of camp, we will take a look at every player on the offseason roster, their background, their contract, their play in 2023, questions they face and their roster outlook.

Next up is offensive lineman Jon Gaines II.

Background

Gaines enters his second NFL season and second with the Cardinals. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2023 by the Cardinals out of UCLA. He is versatile, starting games at guard, center and at tackle, a total of 41 starts in all. He injured his knee in the preseason finale last year and spent the season on injured reserve.

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OL Jon Gaines expected to be back for training camp

Gaines missed his rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered in the preseason finale.

Offensive lineman Jon Gaines, the Cardinals’ fourth-round pick in 2023, has become a bit of a forgotten man. But that is because he missed his entire rookie season.

He suffered a knee injury in the team’s final preseason game last year. It has been presumed to be a torn ACL.

When will he come back?

During OTAs, he was seen out with his teammates on the field, although he was not suited up and did not participate.

According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Gaines should be ready to go “in some capacity” when training camp begins at the end of July.

That announcement makes it unlikely he will start camp on PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

Last year, he was slated to be the team’s backup center. Now he will have to work his way up the depth chart ahead of Trystan Colon, Keith Ismael and Evan Brown.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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In making draft projections, don’t sleep on Cardinals OL Jon Gaines II

Let’s not forget that Jon Gaines could be part of the Cardinals’ plans for the offensive line in 2024.

The most recent mock draft by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projects the Arizona Cardinals will select Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson with the 27th pick in the first round. This selection perhaps overlooks the current state of the roster.

This is nothing anything against Powers-Johnson. However, with Arizona’s 2023 draft picks accounting for 108 games played and 52 starts, one draft pick from last year seemed to be overlooked. Center Jon Gaines II, who was selected in the fourth round, was impressive throughout training camp, but suffered a knee injury early in the final preseason game against the Vikings and was on injured reserve for the entire season. Had he not gotten injured, those games played and games started very possibly would have been even higher, especially considering the Cardinals ended up starting four different players at left guard.

It is believed Gaines underwent surgery, but he is busy rehabbing and very much in the team’s plans going forward. He could end up playing guard, but the play of Hjalte Froholdt and a healthy Gaines should have the Cardinals going in a different direction late in the first round.

At the NFL combine, general manager Monti Ossenfort said of Gaines, “Jon was off to a good start and unfortunately, we keep coming back to these injuries. It’s too bad. But Jon is doing well. Jon is doing really well. He’s in the building every day. He’s rehabbing with us onsite. I love Jon. Jon’s got a good future ahead of him. It was unfortunate with that injury happening in the third preseason game. But he’s making progress, he’s grinding through his rehab and we’re excited to get to a point where we can get him back out on the field.”

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals had 3 notable injuries in preseason win over Vikings

O-linemen Jon Gaines and Dennis Daley, both expected to be on the 53-man roster, suffered injuries in the preseason finale.

The Arizona Cardinals finished the preseason with an 18-17 come-from-behind win over the Minnesota Vikings. In the game, they suffered three injuries of note.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned them after the game in his press conference.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Rookie OL Jon Gaines suffers knee injury

He left the preseason finale after only one play.

The one thing you don’t want to see in a preseason game is players getting injured. All it took was one offensive play and the Arizona Cardinals had to deal with one.

After one offensive play, rookie center Jon Gaines injured his right knee.

He had to be assisted off the field but was able to walk. He was carted to the locker room.

It was announced he was questionable to return, although his return in the game seems unlikely.

The fourth-round pick out of UCLA was lined up to be the Cardinals’ backup center.

Hopefully it isn’t an injury that causes him to lose time.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals training camp roster preview: OL Jon Gaines

We take a look at rookie OL Jon Gaines and his chances of making the final roster.

The Arizona Cardinals open training camp at the end of this month, so we will do a roster review, highlighting each player currently on the roster, going over last season, their salary and cap number, questions they face and what their expected roster status will be.

Next up is OL Jon Gaines.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

The Cardinals’ rookies who have a shot at starting

The Cardinals have a young team. These rookies have at least a reasonable shot at being in the starting lineup.

The Arizona Cardinals have 20 rookies on their roster. They drafted nine players and have 11 undrafted rookies they added since the draft.

Many will be lucky to make the team. Some should have contributing roles.

Some have a real shot at being starters.

Which rookies are those?

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.