Arizona starting cornerback Garrett Williams and backup defensive lineman L.J. Collier were placed on injured reserve Wednesday as a result of their knee issues, but Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said both could return this season.
Williams, 24, hurt his knee in a collision with safety Budda Baker late in Arizona’s 27-22 home win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Williams and Collier are required to miss at least the next four games.
The Cardinals (2-0) are banged up at cornerback, with current starters Will Johnson (groin) and Max Melton (knee) being evaluated “day to day,” Gannon said. Johnson did not practice Wednesday and Melton was limited.
Arizona promoted cornerback Darren Hall from the practice squad to the active roster and signed cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe and defensive lineman Zach Carter to the practice squad. Linebacker Elliott Brown was released from the practice squad.
Williams has 11 tackles and one pass defended while starting both games this season.
He has 92 career tackles with three interceptions and 12 passes defended in 27 games (19 starts) in three seasons. Arizona selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Syracuse.
Collier, who turned 30 last Friday, has one tackle while serving as a reserve in two games this season. He has 72 career tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits and one forced fumble in 65 games (32 starts) for the Seattle Seahawks (2019-22) and Cardinals (2023-present).
Seattle picked him in the first round (29th overall) of the 2019 draft out of TCU.