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