The Arizona Cardinals got one quarter from right tackle Jonah Williams before he suffered a knee injury Sunday against the Buffalo Bills and has been placed on injured reserve. That will require him to miss at least the next four games of the season.
That left the Cardinals likely looking for another tackle, which occurred when five-year veteran Charlie Heck was signed to the practice squad Wednesday morning. He and rookie Brian Dooley had tryouts Tuesday.
Before practice Wednesday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said, “Not gonna speculate about the time when he’s gonna get back; what that looks like. So, gathering more information about that.”
Asked if surgery will happen, Gannon said, “Not sure yet.”
The only backup tackle currently on the 53-man roster is 13-year veteran Kelvin Beachum, who replaced Williams on Sunday. The other backups are all centers or guards: Trystan Colon, Jon Gaines II and rookie Isaiah Adams. Rookie tackle Christian Jones is on injured reserve and will be out at least another three games.
Jackson Barton, Luke Tenuta and Heck are now on the practice squad.
Asked about the backup situation, Gannon said, “We feel good about the plan moving forward.”
Gannon acknowledged it’s good to have Beachum’s experience available to fill Williams’ spot.
“Anyone that goes into the game we feel good about, but there is a comfort level with Beach being the vet that he is and how many games he’s played.”
What about the disappointment with getting only one quarter from Williams, who was signed to a two-year, $30 million contract as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason? Gannon said, “That’s life in the NFL. (We’ll) figure out a plan and go to work.”
The Cardinals also signed edge rusher Julian Okwara to the active roster from the practice squad to which he was signed Aug. 28 after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in the cut to 53 players.
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