The Cardinals are getting a key piece back on the defensive line just in time to close out the season. On Wednesday, Arizona activated L.J.
Collier from injured reserve, beating the deadline on his 21-day return-to-practice window. Had they waited any longer, Collier would’ve been shut down for the year.
Instead, he’s back on the active roster and ready to contribute.
Collier returned to practice back on December 3, slowly ramping up after a knee injury he suffered in Week 2 against the Panthers sent him to IR. Now, with the roster spot open following rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen III’s placement on injured reserve-also due to a knee injury-Collier steps back into the mix.
This marks another chapter in what's been a stop-and-start tenure for Collier in Arizona. After missing nearly all of 2023 due to a Week 1 injury, the former first-round pick bounced back with a full 17-game campaign in 2024, registering 3.5 sacks and showing flashes of the disruptive presence the Cardinals hoped for when they brought him in. His return now gives the defensive front some much-needed depth and experience as the team navigates the final stretch of the season.
In a separate move, Arizona also shuffled its quarterback room. The team signed Logan Woodside to the practice squad, filling the spot left by Jeff Driskel, who was signed to the Commanders’ active roster earlier this week.
Driskel had been working as the Cardinals’ third quarterback in practice, behind Jacoby Brissett and rookie Kedon Slovis. With Woodside now in that role, the Cardinals maintain a full complement of QBs for practice and emergency depth.
Between Collier’s return and the quarterback reshuffle, Arizona is making quiet but meaningful moves as they look to finish the season on a strong note.