The Arizona Cardinals will take the field for a primetime “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the Seattle Seahawks later this evening, and they’re looking to bounce back from Week 3’s disappointing 16-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The team was missing a key element of its offensive line in that Week 3 loss — third-year left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson suffered a knee in jury during the Cardinals’ Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers and was ruled out last week. He was a limited participant in each practice this week and he’s listed as questionable for Thursday night’s matchup against the Seahawks.
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According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, though, Johnson is expected to play this evening, giving quarterback Kyler Murray an upgrade in protection on his blindside.
“Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (questionable, knee) is expected to play tonight vs. Seahawks, per source. Johnson missed last week’s game but slated to return for TNF,” Fowler reported.
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Johnson joined the Cardinals franchise as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Through 33 career starts in Arizona, the former Ohio State standout has been rock solid in pass-protection.
After a shaky rookie season, Johnson settled into a groove last year, allowing just four sacks, 23 pressures, 17 hurries, and two QB hits in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. He nearly halved the number of sacks and pressures allowed from 2023.
Johnson was one of four Cardinals offensive linemen listed on the Wednesday injury report, joining Kelvin Beachum, Evan Brown and Will Hernandez. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and cornerback Darren Hall also hold questionable designations.
Cornerback Will Johnson is listed as doubtful with a groin injury, and wide receiver Zay Jones has already been ruled out with a concussion.
Thursday night’s primetime matchup between the Cardinals and Seahawks will kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
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