The Arizona Cardinals took more than just a loss against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday - they’re now facing a significant hole on their offensive line. Starting left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is expected to miss time after suffering a sprained MCL, according to reports. He’s officially considered week-to-week, and while that’s not season-ending news, it’s a tough blow for a team already dealing with its share of adversity.
Johnson has been a steady presence all season long. He’s started all 12 games and logged a whopping 807 offensive snaps - that’s ironman territory for a young tackle still carving out his place in the league.
Not only has he been durable, but his performance has earned him serious recognition: he’s currently leading all tackles in Pro Bowl voting. That tells you everything you need to know about how his play is being viewed across the league.
This marks the second straight year Johnson has dealt with a knee issue late in the season, which raises some concern about his long-term durability. But for now, the focus shifts to how the Cardinals adjust in the short term. With Johnson likely sidelined for this week’s matchup against the Texans, Arizona will need to reshuffle its offensive line - and quickly.
Veteran lineman Kelvin Beachum is expected to step in, along with rookie Josh Fryar. That duo will have their hands full against a Texans front that’s been quietly disruptive this season.
Beachum brings experience, no doubt, but Fryar is still getting his NFL legs under him. Protecting Kyler Murray - who’s still finding his rhythm after returning from injury - becomes even more critical with Johnson out.
The Cardinals now face a decision: push to get Johnson back on the field if he's healthy enough, or play it safe and shut him down to preserve his long-term health. Given where they are in the standings, that’s not a simple call. But either way, losing one of the league’s top-performing tackles - even for a few weeks - is a major challenge for an offense trying to build continuity down the stretch.