The Arizona Cardinals may have a major problem brewing in the secondary, and it starts with Will Johnson.
Johnson exited Week 2 with a neck injury and never returned in the loss. On Monday, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur didn’t sound optimistic when asked for an update.
"Will's got a neck. Potentially could miss the whole season. Sucks for him, obviously," said LaFleur.
LaFleur would not say whether Johnson needs surgery, but the tone of the update pointed to a situation that could quickly push the cornerback onto injured reserve if he is expected to miss most of the year.
That’s a brutal swing for a player Arizona was counting on to take another step in his second season. Johnson, a 2025 second-round pick, had entered the year with momentum after showing the kind of traits that made him a lockdown corner at Michigan. He handled starting duties as a rookie last season, and there was real hope he would build on that foundation with more experience under his belt.
Instead, the Cardinals are suddenly staring at a thin cornerback group. Garrett Williams is still working back from an Achilles injury, and Max Melton left Week 2 with a toe injury. LaFleur called Melton day-to-day heading into Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers.
That leaves Denzel Burke, who has been handling starting slot work while Williams is out, along with Kei'Trel Clark and Kalen King, who was recently elevated to the active roster.
"You know what's great is I think we had a deep corner room and here we are," LaFleur added in his press conference.
"Going into Week 3 and again, you're sick for Will. For obvious reasons, the person over the player and then obviously his teammates are sick for him too. But hey, it's ball, and we move on."
LaFleur also said Starling Thomas appears likely to be elevated from the practice squad while Johnson is sidelined.
"Star's played a lot of football here. Star's played good football, and I think Star's in a good spot headspace-wise and physically," LaFleur said.
The Cardinals are 1-1 entering Week 3, and the first injury report of the week is due Wednesday. Johnson could be placed on injured reserve before then.
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