Arizona Cardinals Placed Will Johnson on Injured Reserve
The Cardinals added Johnson to injured reserve as the team manages multiple secondary injuries.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
The Arizona Cardinals have placed cornerback Will Johnson on injured reserve following a neck injury. The move comes as the team prepares for their Week 3 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Why it matters
The roster move highlights the growing depth challenges within the Cardinals' secondary ahead of a critical divisional game. Managing injury-plagued positions remains a primary focus for the team as they navigate the early part of the season.
Max Melton has recorded a 36% defensive snap percentage across the first 2 games of the season. The team is managing injury status for several defensive backs heading into Week 3.
The players
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team that competes in the NFC West division of the NFL.
Will Johnson
Will Johnson is a cornerback who has been moved to the team's injured reserve list.
Max Melton
Max Melton is a cornerback for the Cardinals who has played in 36% of the team's defensive snaps through two games.
Garrett Williams
Garrett Williams is a defensive back for the Cardinals who is working back to full health following a serious injury last season.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are an NFL franchise based in the San Francisco Bay Area that serves as the Cardinals' Week 3 opponent.
The details
The Cardinals updated their injury report on Wednesday, noting that Max Melton missed practice due to a toe issue while Garrett Williams was limited. Williams is returning to action after sustaining a torn Achilles last year.
Timeline
Last year: Garrett Williams suffered a torn Achilles.
Wednesday: Cardinals held practice and updated their injury report.
Sunday: Cardinals play the 49ers.
Season Trajectory
This roster move forces the Cardinals to rely on depth as they aim to maintain defensive integrity against the 49ers. The secondary rotation will be critical for keeping the team competitive in the NFC West standings during this early season stretch.
With Johnson sidelined, the Cardinals will likely increase the snap count for available defensive backs in the secondary rotation. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of Max Melton and Garrett Williams to track active defensive back roles for the Week 3 matchup.
The takeaway
Maintaining depth in the secondary is essential for defensive consistency throughout the NFL regular season. Fans should look for how the team manages snap distributions among available backups during this week's rotation.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Football.
