As teams around the NFL go through mandatory minicamps, some franchises are more secretive than others. The Arizona Cardinals are one of those franchises. Fans and analysts are left to connect the dots between the limited pieces of information that coaches and players convey.
When you connect the dots on rookie Will Johnson’s current injury situation, the final picture doesn’t look good.
Will Johnson sidelined at Cardinals minicamp
Former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson was viewed as a top-15 draft prospect for most of the last year. In the months leading up to the draft, rumors about a lingering knee injury started to rise to the surface. Johnson had dealt with other minor injuries during his time in college, but teams were concerned that his knee issues could limit the longevity of his professional career.
As a result, Johnson fell out of the first round. The Arizona Cardinals scooped him up in the second round, much to the delight of most fans. The Cardinals were apparently comfortable with Johnson’s medical status, while other NFL teams were not.
Now, it’s beginning to look like those other teams may have been right all along.
Will Johnson has been sidelined throughout the Cardinals’ mandatory minicamp. Initially, the team was fairly secretive about why Johnson was not on the field with his teammates. Now, head coach Jonathan Gannon has filled us in. According to Cardinals insider Darren Urban, “Gannon said it has been a tight hamstring that has limited rookie CB Will Johnson.”
Johnson has a fairly extensive injury history. He has dealt with shoulder, toe, and knee issues in the past. Most recently, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him from participating in drills at the NFL Combine in February.
Presumably, it’s that same hamstring issue that has had Johnson sidelined this week.
Hopefully, Johnson can return to full health and get on the field with his teammates as soon as possible. Offseason reps are crucial, especially for rookies. After cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting’s season-ending injury, the team will likely rely on Will Johnson to play a major role this season. They will need him to be fully healthy to help lead their young cornerback group.
When healthy, Will Johnson is an elite player. His instincts and coverage ability make him an exciting prospect. It would be truly devastating if injury issues held him back from having the long career that his level of talent justifies. Let’s hope that this hamstring injury becomes a distant memory rather than a constant issue moving forward.