Cardinals Place Left Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. on Injured Reserve, Ending 2025 Season

The Arizona Cardinals officially ended the 2025 season for left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., placing the third-year offensive lineman on injured reserve following a knee injury suffered in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams. The move, announced Saturday, ensures Johnson will miss both the Week 17 matchup at Cincinnati and the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Johnson sustained the injury on Dec. 7 and had already been ruled out of Sunday’s game before the IR designation. This marks the second consecutive season he will finish on injured reserve after missing the final two games of the 2024 campaign due to a similar knee problem.

Prior to his injury, Johnson had been one of Arizona’s most dependable players. He started all 12 games he appeared in this season, playing every offensive snap and earning solid evaluations from Pro Football Focus, ranking between 20th and 21st among qualifying tackles and as high as 15th in pass-blocking grade.

The third-year lineman allowed only five sacks over 807 offensive snaps and had started 43 consecutive games since his rookie season. His absence leaves a significant gap in Arizona’s offensive line as the team navigates a final stretch already depleted by injuries.

1. Johnson’s Career and Contract Status

Selected sixth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Johnson is in the third year of a four-year, $30.36 million deal that included a $19.08 million signing bonus. The contract also contains a fifth-year option for 2027, with the potential for a contract extension after the 2025 season. Johnson’s durability and consistent play have made him a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ offensive line, and his long-term status will be a key offseason consideration. His absence underscores how critical he has been in protecting quarterbacks and anchoring the left side of the line. The back-to-back late-season injuries raise questions about his availability and how Arizona will manage his workload moving forward. Nevertheless, his performance when healthy demonstrates why the organization invested heavily in him as a top draft pick.

2. Roster Moves and Replacements

To compensate for Johnson’s absence, the Cardinals have elevated rookie Josh Fryar to handle the majority of left tackle duties, with Demontrey Jacobs rotating in. Fryar has played 70 snaps over the last two games compared to Jacobs’ 53, grading higher in pass protection. Arizona also promoted defensive lineman Zachary Carter from the practice squad to the active roster. Carter, a 2022 third-round pick, has appeared in 47 career games with 16 starts, recording 73 tackles, two sacks, and five quarterback hits. Cornerback Jaden Davis and wide receiver Steven Sims were also elevated from the practice squad. Davis contributed two tackles in his lone appearance, while Sims has 78 career receptions for 704 yards and five touchdowns over 53 games. These moves highlight how the Cardinals are forced to rely on depth and young players to navigate the injury-riddled final weeks of the season.

3. Injury Context and Team Challenges

Johnson’s knee injury adds to an already extensive injury list for Arizona. The team has 22 players currently on injured reserve, including key cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting on the non-football injury list, and starting offensive linemen Will Hernandez and Jonah Williams also sidelined. Through Week 16, the Cardinals have activated over 80 players this season—the highest total in the NFL—illustrating how depleted the roster has become. The team’s injury challenges have tested depth across every position group, forcing younger players to step into significant roles while veterans try to maintain continuity. The combination of late-season injuries and rotation-heavy lineups will shape Arizona’s approach for the remaining two games.