The Arizona Cardinals have been busy in the offseason acquiring players to help them improve in 2025. They were active in free agency. They added seven players in the 2025 NFL draft.
All should help the team be better now and in the future.
But they also have a few players coming back from season-ending injuries who should also make an impact in the upcoming season.
Who are the notable players coming back from injuries?
LT Paris Johnson
Johnson suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the final three games of the year. He is already back and good to go, though.
RT Jonah Williams
Williams played in only six games last season, injuring his knee twice. He got on-field work in OTAs, so he should be ready to jump back into the starting lineup. When he was in the lineup, he played well.
DL Justin Jones
Jones was the Cardinals' biggest free agent acquisition in 2024 but played in only three games before tearing his triceps and missing the rest of the season. Now he returns as part of what has suddenly become a loaded defensive line room.
DL Bilal Nichols
Nichols was signed last offseason like Jones but only played in six games before a neck injury ended his season. With him and Jones coming back and the additions of Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, the Cardinals' two best D-linemen last year — Dante Stills and L.J. Collier — are now like No. 7 and No. 8 on the depth chart.
OLB BJ Ojulari
Ojulari was expected to be their top pass rusher last year but tore his ACL in training camp and never played a down. He returns to a retooled room. The Cardinals signed Josh Sweat and re-signed Baron Browning, whom they acquired in a midseason trade. Zaven Collins remains and they drafted Jordan Burch in the third round this year. The hope was that Ojulari would be a double-digit sack player. If he can do that while getting upgraded play from Josh Sweat, Arizona's defense could be really good.
RB Emari Demercado
Demercado suffered a back injury and missed the final four games of the season. He has been the team's third-down back for two seasons and figures to return in that role.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 6 key Arizona Cardinals returning from season-ending injuries
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