Jonah Williams fought hard to be in the Cardinals' huddle last year.
The right tackle injured his right knee in the 2024 season opener and spent the first half of the season rehabbing. Upon his Week 12 return, Williams knew a procedure was coming after the season.
That timeline didn't hold up.
Williams started five games after his return before going back on Injured Reserve following Week 16. While he was aware of the injury, he said the knee didn't have an impact on his performance.
"It was the same injury from Week 1, and I knew I needed to get surgery on it, but I just wanted to come back and play more before that," Williams said. "So, when it happened again, then I was like 'OK, I'm just going to get the surgery that I needed to get anyway.'"
His effort to return despite the rehab process is admirable, and to put it plainly, Williams loves football. It's one of the traits that coach Jonathan Gannon admires about the 6-foot-5, 312-pound offensive lineman.
"Man, this guy, he is unbelievable," Gannon said. "He is in the building as much as anybody. Football is very important to him. I know he loves it here, and he wants to be out there with his teammates and play well. He puts all his energy and effort into getting healthy and ready to go."
Williams feels the rust after the Cardinals' first two camp practices. He spent most of OTAs rehabbing. Now, the injury has become an afterthought and he acknowledged he "can just focus on football."
He believes there are steps for growth as the offense seemingly will run it back after a quiet offseason. The unit finished with 2,451 rushing yards, the third-most in franchise history and was ranked fourth in explosive rushes of 10-plus yards with 73.
"It's looking inward, and I was a part of some of it, but as I got to watch a lot of it, it was impressive to watch how these guys were blocking in front," Williams said. "I think we can be really multiple as an offense, and we need to maximize that. That's one of our biggest strengths, I think, is the amount of ways we can attack you. Whether it's run first or pass first, you're going to have to defend both."
There is still time for Williams and the offense to shake off some rust prior to their season opener against the Saints. The team will hold nine more open practices before the Aug. 9 preseason game against the Chiefs.
Until the ball kicks off, Williams is going to enjoy the training camp grind. It's the next step as he fights to return to the huddle.
"I love it here," Williams said. "I think when you're away from it for so long, there's always a little bit of nerves getting back into it, but it's like popping the seal off. You go in there and run a couple of plays and 'Oh, it's just football just like I've done my whole life.' I can just focus on playing."
Take a look at the best images from Week 1 of the 2025 Arizona Cardinals Training Camp at State Farm Stadium, presented by Desert Financial
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) and Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon (50) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Simi Fehoko (80) and Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Bryson Green (30) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum (68) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals safety Dadrion "Rabbit" Taylor-Demerson (42) during 2025 Training Camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
The Arizona Cardinals during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Football during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon (50) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
The Arizona Cardinals during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Nick Leverett (60) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier (91) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning (5) and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Helmets during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (74) during 2025 Training Camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at State Farm Stadium.
