Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cardinals lose OTs Paris Johnson Jr., Jonah Williams to knee injuries

The Arizona Cardinals’ starting offensive tackles, Paris Johnson Jr. and Jonah Williams, will miss the rest of the season because of knee injuries.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon initially ruled them out on Tuesday for Saturday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams (9-6), then the team later placed them on injured reserve. Arizona (7-8) has been eliminated from postseason contention.

Johnson, 23, missed a game for the first time in his career when he sat out Sunday’s 36-30 overtime loss at Carolina. He hurt his left knee in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.

Arizona selected Johnson sixth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He started all 17 games his rookie season, playing 100 percent of the offensive snaps (1,133), and 14 games this season (98 percent of the snaps) before missing Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Williams, 27, hurt his right knee in the season-opening loss at Buffalo on Sept. 8 and went on injured reserve. He was activated on Oct. 30 and started six games before injuring the same knee in the third quarter against the Panthers.

Cincinnati picked Williams 11th overall in the 2019 draft out of Alabama. He signed with Arizona as a free agent in March.

Offensive tackle Jackson Barton, who was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, is listed on the depth chart as the replacement for Williams at right tackle. Kelvin Beachum, who filled in for Johnson last weekend, now is slotted at left tackle.

Running backs James Conner (knee) and Trey Benson (ankle) and kicker Matt Prater (left knee) were among eight Cardinals listed as limited at practice on Tuesday, which was an estimation based on the team’s walkthrough, with offensive lineman Beachum getting a rest day. Safety Joey Blount (ribs), cornerback Elijah Jones (ankle) and punter Michael Palardy (illness) did not practice.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Dawand Jones (79) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the first half of the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Ncaa Football Peach Bowl Ohio State At Georgia

Dawand Jones the latest Ohio State OL to enter 2023 draft

Ohio State’s Dawand Jones became the third member of Ohio State’s starting offensive line to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

He made the announcement on Wednesday, a day after tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and center Luke Wypler said they’d be leaving Columbus early.

The 6-foot-8, 359-pound Jones was a second-team All-American in 2022. In four seasons at Ohio State, he played 40 games, starting 26 as he became a full-time starter in 2021.

Johnson, another second-team All-American, is expected to be selected in the first round, with USA Today’s recently released mock draft projecting the Tennessee Titans to select him with the No. 11 overall pick.

The 247Sports composite ranked the 6-foot-7 Johnson, from Cincinnati, as the No. 1 tackle in the Class of 2020. With the Buckeyes, he was a three-year starter and anchored an offensive line that averaged 490.7 yards per game this season and led the nation in 2021 with 561.5 yards and 45.7 points per game.

Wypler could be the first center off the draft board in April, He won the Buckeyes’ starting center job before the 2021 season.

Ohio State got some good news Wednesday when starting right guard Matt Jones said he would use his sixth and final year of eligibility and return to the school. He is a candidate to take over the center spot in 2023.

“Although I have dreams and aspirations to play in the NFL, my college chapter does not close here,” he wrote in a graphic posted to Twitter.

Left guard Donovan Johnson also is returning for the Buckeyes, who added just one offensive lineman in their 2023 recruiting class.

The Buckeyes finished the season with an 11-2 record after a heartbreaking defeat in the College Football Playoff semifinal to eventual champion Georgia in the Peach Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) headshot after the game at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr. declares for draft

Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., widely considered a top 10 prospect, declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Tuesday.

ESPN ranks Johnson the second-best OT and the ninth-best eligible player overall in next year’s draft.

Johnson, at 6-feet-6 and 310 pounds, was a consensus All-American this past season as well as a first team All-Big Ten selection.

Johnson took to social media to announce his decision.

“It has always been a dream of mine since I committed to the Ohio State University to leave with both my degree and a Buckeye tree,” Johnson posted to Twitter. “I am grateful for the opportunity to accomplish both in three years. After having several conversations with my coaches and family, I want to accomplish the first dream of mine since I was five years old, which is to declare for the 2023 NFL draft.”

–Field Level Media