The Arizona Cardinals have three players — all rookies — eligible to return from injured reserve this week. Only one is returning to practice and it isn’t the one fans are hoping to see.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters before Wednesday’s practice that rookie tackle Christian Jones is having his practice window opened, opening the door to his being reinstated to the active roster. He was placed on injured reserve before the season and designated to return with a leg injury he suffered in the preseason finale.
It will allow him to practice and gives him 21 days to be placed on the active roster.
The Cardinals currently have no backup tackles on the active roster behind starters Paris Johnson and Kelvin Beachum.
First-round pick Darius Robinson, the Cardinals’ second first-round pick this year, is the player most are waiting for. He suffered a calf injury in practice and could potentially return to practice. That won’t happen today. All Gannon would say is that Robinson is “doing a good job.”
Also not designated to return to practice was cornerback Elijah Jones, who suffered a heel injury.
We will see whether the Cardinals see Jones as ready to be active on game days to be the backup swing tackle, or whether they will elevate Charlie Heck again from the practice squad.
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