Cardinals’ Bilal Nichols Out For Season, ‘Good Chance’ Jonah Williams Returns
Cardinals defensive tackle Bilal Nichols will be out for the rest of the 2024 season, head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Thursday, per team reporter Darren Urban.
Nichols was knocked out of Arizona’s Week 6 loss to the Packers with a stinger, and further evaluation revealed a season-ending injury that landed him on injured reserve on October 15. He will join Justin Jones – who tore his triceps in Week 3 – on the sideline for the rest of the year, severely depleting the Cardinals’ defensive line rotation.
Nichols and Jones were two of general manager Monti Ossenfort‘s major free agency signings this offseason, meant to short up Arizona’s league-worst rushing defense in 2023. The injuries have made any improvements marginal at best; the Cardinals rank 30th with 918 yards allowed on the ground this season. Now, only Roy Lopez remains from the starting defensive line, with Khyiris Tonga, L.J. Collier, Naquan Jones and Dante Stills expected to fill the void.
Ossenfort can hope for a better return on his other big offseason investment: offensive tackle Jonah Williams. Gannon said there is a “good chance” that Williams returns from a Week 1 knee injury that initially put the rest of his season in jeopardy, according to Urban.
Veteran Kelvin Beachum has taken over for Williams at right tackle since Week 1 outside of a minor injury in Week 3 that required relief efforts from both Jackson Barton and Charlie Heck. The position has not been a weakness for the Cardinals’ offense, but there is little doubt that Williams would still be an upgrade if he can return this year.
Kicker Matt Prater is also on injured reserve in Arizona, but Gannon said that it is possible he returns this season. In the meantime, the Cardinals have relied on Chad Ryland, who converted five of his six attempts including a game-winner against the 49ers in Week 5.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Keion Crossen, OL Nick Leverett
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Anthony Kendall, LB Kristian Welch
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DE Raymond Johnson III
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DL Jalen Dalton
- Released: DT Phil Hoskins
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Tanner McCalister
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Malik Knowles
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Salvon Ahmed
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji, LB Craig Young
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Eric Garror
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/24
Today’s minor moves in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: K Chad Ryland
- Placed on IR: DT Bilal Nichols, K Matt Prater
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: G Matt Hennessy
- Placed on IR: S Micah Abernathy
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Carolina Panthers
- Signed (off Steelers’ practice squad): OLB Jacoby Windmon
- Waived: OLB Tarron Jackson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: C Nick Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived with injury settlement: DE Durrell Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Waived: DB Tanner McCalister
Detroit Lions
- Signed (off Bengals’ practice squad): DE Isaiah Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Aidan Hutchinson (story), DT Kyle Peko (story)
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DT Kurt Hinish
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Jacob Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on IR: CB Artie Burns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
- Signed to active roster: CB Keenan Isaac
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Tre Avery
Nichols is reportedly out for the season, per the Cardinals, but Prater could still return after an additional four-game absence. He’s already missed two games so far with a left knee issue. The 40-year-old was a perfect six-for-six on field goal attempts this year while 10-for-10 on extra points.
The Browns lose an important depth lineman in Harris. Harris started games at left tackle and center as an injury replacement this year, but he’ll be out for at least the next four games with an ankle injury.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reported that Abernathy will be out for a “significant time,” per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/24
Today’s NFL practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OLB Ronnie Perkins
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Dane Cruikshank, T Coy Cronk
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: CB Damarion Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Dan Chisena, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Released: WR Deon Cain
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Jamree Kromah, LS Jake McQuaide
- Released: DT Travis Bell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR James Proche, C Cameron Tom
- Released: RB Gary Brightwell, DT Siaki Ika
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DT Phil Hoskins
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Spencer Rolland
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DE Jalen Redmond
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Dante Pettis
- Released: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Armon Watts
- Released: CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Adrian Amos
- Released: WR Terrace Marshall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Dallis Flowers
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB Joshua Kelley
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Carl Davis
Amos is far-removed from his days as a full-time starter in the NFC North. With Talanoa Hufanga on injured reserve, though, and only three safeties on the active roster, Amos could have an opportunity to make an impact in the Bay Area.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/14/24
Here are the latest transactions from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated to 53-man roster: WR Zay Jones
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated from practice squad: RB Frank Gore Jr.
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/suspended list: DT Mario Edwards Jr. (story)
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: DT Leki Fotu
- Elevated from practice squad: TE Anthony Firkser, S Jalen Mills
- Released: DL Jalyn Holmes
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return from IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Jones will get to make his Cardinals debut in Week 7 after serving a five-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Arizona requested and received a one-week roster exemption so Jones could get acclimated to his new offense before being added to the 53-man roster. He will bring a veteran presence to a young Cardinals receiver room that lost Marvin Harrison Jr. to a concussion on Sunday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/24
Today’s minor transactions, including practice squad callups for Week 6:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: K Chad Ryland
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: G Matt Hennessy, CB Kevin King
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: RB Rasheen Ali
- Elevated: OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: TE Ian Thomas
- Placed on IR: C Austin Corbett (story)
- Elevated: OLB Marquis Haynes
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: S Tarvarius Moore, CB Ameer Speed
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Jalen Davis, C Trey Hill
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: DB Tanner McCalister
- Elevated: T Cameron Fleming, G Calvin Throckmorton
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: DE Isaac Ukwu
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: RB Evan Hull
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Tanner Muse
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Trey Taylor
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle
New York Giants
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Hodgins, RB Dante Miller
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: WR Parris Campbell
- Elevated: OL Jack Driscoll
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR Ryan Miller, RB D.J. Williams
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: DT Abdullah Anderson, CB Tre Avery
Washington Commanders
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Efe Obada
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., CB Kevon Seymour
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/24
Friday’s practice squad moves in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Chris Moore
- Released: WR Dan Chisena
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington, DT Marcus Harris
Washington Commanders
- Signed: QB Sam Hartman
Both Moore and Hartman were released/waived from their respective 53-man rosters this week. Other teams would’ve had the opportunity to claim Hartman off of the waiver wire, but ultimately unclaimed, he returns to Washington on the practice squad.
Cardinals Open DL Darius Robinson’s Practice Window
OCTOBER 11: Robinson experienced discomfort with his calf during Thursday’s practice, Gannon said. As a result, he will not be activated in time for Week 6. Plenty of time will remain for Arizona to being Robinson into the fold before his 21-day activation clock expires.
OCTOBER 7: Darius Robinson was sidelined for the Cardinals’ first five games of the season, but he could be close to suiting up. The first-round rookie had his practice window opened on Monday, per Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. 
[RELATED: G Will Hernandez Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury]
Robinson suffered a calf injury in August, threatening his Week 1 availability. To little surprise, Arizona elected to designate him for return from injured reserve ahead of the roster cutdown deadline. Teams were permitted to do so with two players in 2024 as part of an IR rule tweak, and the Cardinals took that route with Robinson as well as O-lineman Christian Jones.
During a five-year run at Missouri, Robinson primarily worked along the defensive interior. During the 2023 campaign, however, he played on the edge and enjoyed success in a pass-rushing role. The 23-year-old racked up 8.5 sacks (a major jump compared to his previous career high of 3.5) along with 14 tackles for loss. That production put him in the first-round conversation, and Arizona selected him at No. 27.
Robinson’s addition came about as the Cardinals sought to bolster their pass rush. That unit suffered a notable blow before the regular season even started when BJ Ojulari suffered an ACL tear, shutting him down for the campaign. Especially with Ojulari out of the picture, Robinson could find himself logging at least a notable rotational role once he is activated.
Today’s move opens gives Arizona 21 days to officially bring Robinson onto the active roster. One of the team’s eight IR activations was already used when he was designated for return, which also applies to Jones. The latter practiced last week, though he has yet to be activated. A move on that front for he and Robinson should be expected to take place relatively soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/24
Wednesday’s minor NFL transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: WR Chris Moore
Buffalo Bills
- Opened practice window: RB Darrynton Evans
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP list: CB DJ Ivey
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
- Signed to active roster: TE Geoff Swaim
- Designated to return from IR: LB Mohamoud Diabate, DT Maurice Hurst
- Placed on IR: LS Charley Hughlett
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: DE Carl Lawson
Denver Broncos
- Released (with injury settlement): G William Sherman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: DT Christian Wilkins (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated to return from IR: DE Earnest Brown IV
Free Agents
- Suspended: LB Tariq Carpenter, WR Shi Smith
The Browns are set to start working Hurst and Diabate back to the active roster in practice. 17 of Hurst’s 18 starts came in his first three years in the NFL back from 2018-20, but he did line up as a starter in his lone game with the Browns this year prior to being placed on injured reserve.
Carpenter and Smith are set to miss their next six games due to the suspension levied by the NFL. Carpenter’s suspension is likely linked to the December arrest last year that saw him released from Pittsburgh’s practice squad. The purpose for Smith’s suspension isn’t as clear, but he also got arrested in 2022 on drugs and weapons charges.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/9/24
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Austen Pleasants
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Tommy Sweeney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Jared Wayne
- Released: DT Marcus Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Jack Wilson
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: LB Shaquille Quarterman
New York Jets
- Signed: C Alec Lindstrom, S Jaylen Key
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T John Ojukwu
Wilson is a former collegiate basketball player who played for two years apiece at Idaho and Oregon State. He transitioned to football, transferring to Washington State for three years, appearing in 12 games in 2022 at right and left tackle. He then played in 13 basketball games for the Cougars before transferring to Minnesota and transitioning back to basketball for his final year of collegiate eligibility.