Back in the offseason of 2024, when BJ Ojulari was prepping for his second season, he also agreed to cede his jersey number 18 to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. and take the No. 9.
"I like the idea, because single-digit guys make plays, especially coming off the edge," Ojulari said. "Having that little bit of swag, little kids looking up to you, they want to be No. 9.
"But at the end of the day, your play is going to talk for you, no matter what number you're wearing."
Ojulari is still waiting to have his play talk for him. He ripped up knee ligaments a couple months later, mid-August of 2024 in training camp, and has been rehabbing since. Coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday Ojulari is finally going to get back on the practice field when the Cardinals open his 21-day window to return from IR. What that means for when Ojulari actually plays in a game is TBD. But it's the first significant public step in a long while.
"I've helped a little bit here and there," linebacker Zaven Collins said. "He sits just to the left of me in the meeting room ... he still gets asks questions by (outside linebackers) coach (Matt) Feeney, including him in every game plan. So he knows about every game plan even though he wasn't really playing. He goes and works out and try to get back as quick as possible. He's there mentally with the game. I think when he is available he'll hit the ground running."
With the bye over, the Cardinals have some pieces coming back soon. The windows have been opened for cornerback Garrett Williams and defensive lineman Walter Nolen III. Those two are much more likely to be in a game before Ojulari, but the comebacks are in motion.
Gannon called Ojulari "a positive guy," and said the linebacker "will get caught up."
"I know he's been itching to get out there but understood this was his journey to get back on a practice field," Gannon said. "Once he gets back on a practice field, it's not going to be linear either. It never really is with anybody. It's just one day at a time, control what you can control and when he is healthy enough to play, hopefully he'll play."
