GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals couldn’t have any worse injury luck in Week 2 vs. the Carolina Panthers. All three of the team’s top cornerbacks exited the game due to injuries: Max Melton, Will Johnson and Garrett Williams. Two of the three will miss Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, which puts Arizona in a tough position of how it overcomes this hurdle.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The answer is one cornerback it’ll be done by committee, with the next man up mentality. Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated at Wednesday’s media availability that it’ll be up for coaches to draw up the schemes for his players, with the new trio of cornerback replacements being Denzel Burke, Kei’Trel Clark and Elijah Jones.
Arizona Cardinals corner back Denzel Burke (29) celebrates a defensive stop against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on Sept 14, 2025.
How Cardinals adapt to injuries to secondary:
When Melton went down early in the second quarter in Week 2, Burke stepped up in a major way. The rookie cornerback played 67 defensive snaps, after playing zero the previous week. In those snaps, Burke recorded three pass deflections and earned a PFF grade of 64.1, which is top 50 for 143 eligible cornerbacks.
For being thrusted into the position, the former Ohio State Buckeye did well to make big plays in big moments, similar to another defensive back in Clark. The former sixth-round defensive had his role diminished since being drafted back in 2o23, going from being a full-time starter to a reserve player.
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark (13) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Clark only had two games last season with more than 20 defensive snaps, but got an opportunity against the Panthers. In 15 plays, the three-year pro recorded two tackles and a pass deflection, while earning a 79.6 PFF grade. He was astute in coverage and could reclaim a starting role in Week 3 with the injuries on the roster.
Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) is unable to catch a pass defended by Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones (28) during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 23, 2025.
The biggest question mark will be Jones. The former 2024 third-round pick still hasn’t recorded an NFL snap. He was inactive in Week 2, but will surely be activated due to the limited defensive backs. Gannon mentioned that Jones will get an increase role because he has developed into a “good” player, not really expanding the specifics.
Jones is still an unknown commodity. He looked solid in the preseason, especially against the Denver Broncos. However, in real-game snaps, it’s still unclear whether Jones will be ready for the show, but for Arizona, it doesn’t have much of a choice.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
