Prior to the preseason opener against the Chiefs, the last time Elijah Jones played a football game was in Denver. It was during the preseason finale in 2024, and Jones left the game with the ankle injury.
It would derail his entire rookie season. While there was a time when he could have come off Injured Reserve late in the year, Jones instead ended up needing offseason surgery.
"It's been a challenge and a learning curve with being able to watch everything from the sidelines and having a headset and listening to the calls. You get to see the game from a different lens," Jones said. "Honestly, it felt like a redshirt year."
As the Cardinals rebuild the cornerback room, the 2024 third-round pick is trying to stay a part of the equation while in the numbers crunch of eventual roster cutdown.
Jones has been healthy this year, although as the Cardinals head into Week 2 of the preseason and practiced against the Broncos on Thursday, he heads into Saturday's game in Denver having spent most of his time with the third string.
While he was around the team during his rehab process last season, Jones has had to reacclimate himself into football shape.
"The big thing for him, with me, was just his lifestyle habits, meaning it's hard for him to keep on weight so we have to change his diet and he's got to be consistent with that," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "That's hard for a lot of guys."
Jones said he spent the offseason working with Andrew Dole, the team's dietician, and others on the nutrition staff, to create a plan that could benefit him during the season. On the field, Jones is also seeking an opportunity to take that next step.
The cornerback room is already starting to form. Max Melton, Garrett Williams, and Will Johnson continue to lead the way. After those three, Jones finds himself in the mix with Kei'Trel Clark, Denzel Burke, and Jaylon Jones.
"I think he has made some huge strides," defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. "You talk about knowledge of the system and not making a lot of mistakes out there, and I have seen certain parts of his game elevate, so I'm pleased with that. I want him to keep striving, because I think you he has made strides, and I know he's got more in the tank to get better."
Jones attributed that growth towards studying the game and watching how receivers run routes. Gannon also said Jones is further along with the playbook and would like for the second-year corner to "cut it loose," adding he's "looking forward to his trajectory."
The next step will be his performance on Saturday night, back on the same field where his rookie season took a turn.
"It's just excitement," Jones said. "Every high (practice) day and medium day we have is essentially a game. It's just better to play against different opponents than knowing the receiver that you go against every time and knowing the scheme and picking up on tasks. It'll be good to see a different colored jersey."
Take a look at the best images from the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos joint Training Camp Practice before their 2025 Week 2 Preseason matchup, presented by Desert Financial
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) with Peyton Manning during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Royce Newman (71) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Elijah Simmons (96) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker (43) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Travis Vokolek (81) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Oscar Cardenas (45) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon and Sean Payton during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Footballs during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) with Peyton Manning during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and Sean Payton during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat (10) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
The Arizona Cardinals during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia (82) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Royce Newman (71) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (59) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune (15) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell (93) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) and Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Jake Curhan (64) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Nate McCollum (39) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier (91) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Englewood, CO.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during practice before the Week 2 preseason game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 in Denver, CO.
