The Arizona Cardinals lost former first-round draft pick Paris Johnson, their starting left tackle, for the season with a biceps injury. He was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. They replaced him on the roster with another former first-round pick tackle.
They signed Jedrick Wills off the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.
Wills was drafted 10th overall in 2020 by the Cleveland Browns out of Alabama. After he started at right tackle in college, he immediately became the Browns' starting left tackle. He started 45 games in his first three seasons with the Browns. However, knee problems hampered him the last three seasons. He played in eight games in 2023, four in 2024 and didn't play all last season.
He signed with the Chicago Bears in the offseason
but was released before the season and he signed with Buffalo's practice squad.
Wills was highly touted coming out of college, but he hasn't had the impact that was expected. Before his knee injuries, his play came into question.
He isn't going to start for the Cardinals, at least for now.
He is listed behind rookie seventh-round pick Jayden Williams at left tackle on the Cardinals' Week 5 depth chart. Williams will replace Johnson in the starting lineup for now. Wills will give tackle depth.
But if the Cardinals suffer another injury at tackle or if Williams struggles, Wills gives them experienced depth. He has 57 career starts at left tackle.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals sign former 1st-round pick OL Jedrick Wills
