Johnson's (knee) MRI came back negative Monday, and he's healthy headed into the offseason, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Johnson had to leave Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams with a knee injury, but he's avoided anything notable injury-wise and should have a normal offseason. The second-round rookie appeared in 12 regular-season games for Arizona, making 10 starts, and wrapped up his 2025 campaign with 37 tackles (27 solo), 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble. He should return as a starting cornerback in 2026.
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Cardinals' Will Johnson: Won't return due to knee injury
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Johnson (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
With Johnson done for the day, Elijah Jones is in line to see more snaps at outside cornerback opposite Denzel Burke. Johnson did not record a tackle prior to his exit.
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Cardinals' Channing Tindall: Dealing with knee injury
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Tindall (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Tindall sustained the injury in the first quarter, and his status for the rest of the game is now in question. The linebacker operates primarily as a special-teams asset, so his absence doesn't carry any impact on defense for Arizona.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: All set for season finale
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Sweat (ankle) is active for Sunday's contest against the Rams.
Sweat was considered questionable to play after missing the team's first two practices of the week before logging a limited session Friday due to ankle and knee injuries, but he's now going to give it a go in Week 18. The defensive end has produced 28 total tackles (19 solo), including 11.0 sacks, while also adding four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two passes defensed over 16 contests so far in his first campaign with Arizona.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: No go for Week 18
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Melton (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Rams.
Melton was a full participant at practice throughout the week as he continues to nurse a heel injury, but he'll now ultimately take a seat in Week 18. In his absence, Jaden Davis is a top candidate to see an increase in workload at cornerback versus Los Angeles.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: Questionable for Week 18
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Sweat (ankle) is listed as questionable against the Rams on Sunday, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Sweat missed the first two practices of Week 18 prep due to ankle and knee injuries, but he earned the questionable tag for Sunday's regular-season finale after logging a limited practice Friday. He was able to play through the injuries against the Bengals in Week 17, though he was limited to just 24 defensive snaps. If Sweat doesn't play or operates under a snap count, then Dante Stills and Jordan Burch would be in line for more snaps on the Cardinals' defensive line.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Plans to play in season finale
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Baker (concussion/thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday and said that he'll play Sunday against the Rams after clearing concussion protocol, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Baker missed last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati while in concussion protocol, but he said Thursday that he's since passed through the NFL's five-step process and is good to go for Sunday. That should be a big boost to Arizona's defense, which was torched by the combination of Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco for a 121.2 passer rating last weekend. Baker ranks second on the Cardinals with 111 tackles on the campaign (one behind linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither) and has added five defensed passes, including one interception.
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Cardinals' Kitan Crawford: Placed on IR
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The Cardinals placed Crawford (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Crawford was already ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams due to an ankle injury, and his placement on IR was a procedural move to open up a spot on the Cardinals' 53-man roster for Austin Keys, who was waived by the Vikings on Wednesday. Crawford -- who the Cardinals selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft -- finished his first NFL regular season with 20 tackles (11 solo) and one pass defense across 15 games (one start) while contributing on both special teams and in the secondary.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: DNP to open Week 18 prep
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Sweat (ankle/knee) did not practice Wednesday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Sweat did not practice during Week 17 prep due to ankle and knee injuries but was still cleared to play against the Bengals, when he logged one tackle while playing 24 defensive snaps. He's opened Week 18 prep with a DNP but may need to practice in order to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams. If Sweat ends up sitting out, Dante Stills and Jordan Burch would be poised to see more snaps at defensive end.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Limited in Wednesday's practice
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Baker (concussion/thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Baker was unable to play against the Bengals in Week 17 while in the league's concussion protocol. He's also working through a thumb injury, and his ability to return to practice in a limited capacity indicates that he is progressing in his recovery. Baker would need an independent neurologist to clear him from concussion protocol in order for him to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Kitan Crawford: Won't play in Week 18
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Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that Crawford (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Nate Atkins of The Athletic reports.
Crawford sustained an ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the Bengals and is now in line to miss Arizona's season finale. The rookie safety from Nevada appeared in 15 games for the Cardinals, recording 20 total tackles and one pass defensed while contributing both defensively (142 snaps) and on special teams (319 snaps).
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Cardinals' Akeem Davis-Gaither: Mostly quiet in loss
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Davis-Gaither recorded five tackles (one solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 37-14 loss at Cincinnati.
Davis-Gaither trailed far behind rookie fourth-rounder Cody Simon in terms of snaps at linebacker in Week 17, logging just 40 to Simon's 74. Predictably, he also lagged behind Simon in the tackle category. He's still on the IDP radar in some formats going into a Week 18 matchup against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Cody Simon: Leading tackler in loss
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Simon recorded 15 tackles (four solo), including 0.5 sacks, during Sunday's 37-14 loss at Cincinnati.
Aided by a game script that saw the pass-happy Bengals run the ball 35 times, Simon achieved a new best tackle total for his young career in Week 17. Since he's now operating as the Cardinals' top option at linebacker, he's solidly within the bounds of the IDP discussion going into a Week 18 matchup against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Kei'Trel Clark: Moved to IR
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The Cardinals moved Clark (back) to injured reserve Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Clark developed a back injury during Week 17 that forced him out of last Sunday's loss to the Bengals. The cornerback's movement to IR will end his 2025 season, as the Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention. Clark finished with 25 tackles (17 solo) and two passes defensed over 14 games. Kalen King will likely operate as the reserve slot cornerback for the Cardinals' Week 18 divisional matchup against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Kitan Crawford: Exits game with ankle injury
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Crawford (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Crawford appeared to sustain the injury in the second quarter and is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. With Budda Baker (concussion) inactive, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson will step into a larger role in the secondary for as long as Crawford is out of the game.
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Cardinals' Will Johnson: Green light to play Week 17
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Johnson (thumb/chest) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Johnson was limited in all three practices during Week 17 prep due to thumb and chest injuries, but the rookie second-rounder has been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. Johnson has logged 14 tackles (nine solo) and four pass defenses over his last four games.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Will play vs. Cincinnati
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Melton (heel) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton has been officially cleared to return Sunday from a four-game absence due to a heel injury, and he'll likely join Will Johnson as the Cardinals' two starting outside corners. Prior to his absence, Melton logged 31 tackles (21 solo) and five pass defenses across nine regular-season games.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: Good to go Week 17
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Sweat (ankle/knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Sweat was held out of practice all week due to ankle and knee injuries, and despite the lack of Week 17 reps, the veteran defensive end has been given the green light to play Sunday. He has tied a career high with 11.0 sacks through 15 regular-season games, and he has two more opportunities to set a new career best.
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Cardinals' Jalen Thompson: Cleared to play Week 17
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Thompson (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Thompson has been cleared to return Sunday from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Budda Baker (concussion) has been ruled out, so Kitan Crawford will likely join Thompson as the Cardinals' starting safeties in Week 17.
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Cardinals' Darren Hall: Cleared to play Week 17
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Hall (concussion) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bengals.
An independent neurologist has cleared Hall from the league's concussion protocol, giving the fifth-year corner the green light to return Sunday from a one-game absence. Hall could start at outside corner if one or both of Max Melton (heel) and Will Johnson (thumb/chest) is unable to play.
