TEMPE — The Arizona Cardinals are opening the practice windows for pass rusher BJ Ojulari and cornerback Garrett Williams this week, head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Tuesday.
Gannon added Williams will start practicing during Tuesday’s bonus day of work out of the bye week, while Ojulari will be back on the grass beginning on Thursday.
There have been few updates regarding Ojulari’s status since he went down with a torn ACL two training camps ago.
His return to the practice field is a major accomplishment for the pass rusher, who was once a projected starter before the injury derailed that thinking.
If he can prove he’s healthy enough to be activated during the next 21 days of work, Ojulari would at the very least help round out an outside linebackers room led by Josh Sweat and Baron Browning.
Williams, meanwhile, has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury in Arizona’s Week 2 win over Carolina.
He was back working on the side in recent weeks during the open portion of practice and has clearly checked the next box in his eventual return to play.
Getting the nickel cornerback back in the lineup would be a massive boost for Arizona’s defense and help lighten the load on Jalen Thompson, who has taken over more of a nickel role with Williams on the shelf.
Cardinals continue to get healthy
Williams and Ojulari mark the latest Cardinals to see their practice windows open up in recent weeks, following Walter Nolen III two weeks ago.
Quarterback Kyler Murray is also trending toward making his return from a foot injury for the Cardinals’ Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cardinals bring back RB Michael Carter
In addition to designating Ojulari and Williams to return, the Cardinals re-signed running back Michael Carter and defensive back Darren Hall to the practice squad. Carter and Hall were both released from the active roster on Monday.
To open up practice squad roster spots, Arizona released wide receiver Bryson Green, running back D’Ernest Johnson and tight end Nick Muse.