AZ Cardinals news and recap

Proctor (knee) is expected to miss the entire 2026 campaign, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Proctor tore the meniscus in his knee during OTAs and was placed on IR on Wednesday. Coach Mike LaFleur confirmed Friday that Proctor, whom Arizona drafted in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft, isn’t going to be able to get back on the field this season. He’ll therefore have to wait until 2027 to make his professional debut.

Conner (foot/ankle) participated in practice Thursday, Jess Root of USA Today reports.

Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site, Conner has recovered fully from the ankle injury that limited him to three regular-season games in 2025, though it’s possible he’ll be eased back in as training camp rolls along. The 31-year-old returns to a crowded Arizona backfield that now includes first-rounder Jeremiyah Love and free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier, as well as 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson. With Love and Allgeier destined to see their share of touches, Conner doesn’t appear to have a clear path to steady volume in 2026, though that could change if injuries hit.

Benson (knee) participated in practice Thursday, Jess Root of USA Today reports.

As did fellow RB James Conner, who is bouncing back from an ankle injury. Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site, while the returning backs are ready for camp, the team plans to “be smart” with them out of the gate. Looking ahead, Benson will look to secure slotting in a crowded Arizona backfield that also includes Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, as well as Conner. However, unless injuries hit, Benson doesn’t have a path to steady volume in the offense as Week 1 approaches.

Brissett participated in Thursday’s training camp practice and contract talks with the Cardinals are now ongoing and productive, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Brissett did not participate in spring workouts and held in at minicamp, so his decision to practice Thursday eases concerns about a potential hold-in at training camp. That said, the veteran signal-caller is still seeking a raise over his current backup-level starting salary, so his contract situation will warrant monitoring until it is resolved. Brissett is expected to open the regular season as Arizona’s starting quarterback, with Gardner Minshew and rookie third-round pick Carson Beck filling out the QB room.

Johnson, who was placed on the active/PUP list Thursday, is managing a knee injury that isn’t considered serious, Darren Urban of the Cardinals‘ official site reports.

Johnson finished last season on IR due to an MCL injury, and he’s not quite ready to participate in training camp. However, coach Mike LaFleur said that the offensive lineman’s placement on the PUP list was “really just maintenance” and indicated that Johnson will “be back before you know it.” It sounds like Johnson is expected to be good to go by the beginning of the regular season, and he’s slated to be Arizona’s starting left tackle.