The Arizona Cardinals saw 2024 NFL Draft pick cornerback Elijah Jones active in practice for the first time since the preseason this week.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Jones was taken off of injured reserve on Thursday.
Arizona Cardinals rookie CB Elijah Jones returned to the practice fields on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/u0BIU2JdAK
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) December 5, 2024
The rookie was placed on the Cardinal’s injured reserve list on Aug. 29 after suffering a heel injury in Arizona’s final preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Jones was quoted on the Cardinals’ website speaking on the challenges of remaining connected to the team despite not practicing.
“Throughout the whole time I’ve tried to stay locked in, even though you can feel a little disconnected, and tried to stick the game plan and support your teammates, whether that was on the sideline or at practice,” Jones said.
Cardinals CB Elijah Jones spoke about the rehab process and trying to stay connected to the team while on IR for more than three months with a heel injury. pic.twitter.com/A67r2YPlkh
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) December 5, 2024
Seeing Jones back on the field is a bright spot for the Cardinal’s 2024 draft class.
Jones is the second Arizona rookie to make his return from IR from preseason injuries. Cardinals first round pick and defensive end Darius Robinson made his return on Oct. 9 and was activated to the 53-man roster on Oct. 29 after being sidelined by a calf injury on Aug. 22.
It’s no guarantee that we will see either rookie make an impact this season, but there is always a possibility that Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon could utilize two of his top picks as Arizona embarks on a big push for a spot in the playoffs has the season nears its end.
Jones was picked by the Cardinals in the third round as the 90th overall pick in the draft out of Boston College. He played six seasons for the Eagles. Jones was named First Team All-ACC in 2023 after recording 5 interceptions, 8 pass deflections, a forced fumble and 25 total tackles. He earned an invite to the 2024 Senior Bowl.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
