Highlights
- Garrett Williams was activated from the physically unable to perform list roughly 8 months after tearing his Achilles.
- Head coach Mike LaFleir said a Week 1 return was possible after Williams cleared the PUP list with more than three weeks before the regular season.
- Williams ranked analytically as one of the best slot corners in the NFL in 2024 and is entering the final year of his contract.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams was activated from the physically unable to perform list, putting a potential Week 1 return in play after an Achilles tear that ended his 2025 season early, Cards Wire reported.
Williams suffered the torn Achilles in December and had been on the PUP list since training camp opened. He was cleared for practice with more than three weeks remaining before the regular season, and head coach Mike LaFleir indicated a Week 1 start was possible.
The injury capped a difficult 2025 campaign. Williams had already missed time earlier that season with a knee injury before being carted off the field in the first quarter of a Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the Achilles diagnosis shortly after.
The stakes for his return are real. Williams ranked analytically as one of the best slot corners in the league in 2024, and the Cardinals have held the starting cornerback position for him across the last two seasons. He is entering the final year of his contract, making this stretch of games a live audition for his next deal.
The Cardinals' regular-season opener is the next date to watch.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- cardswire.usatoday.com retrieved 10/09/2026 21:39
- si.com retrieved 10/09/2026 21:39
- azcardinals.com retrieved 10/09/2026 21:39
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 10/09/2026 21:39. Every claim traces to a source.
