Christian Jones had been waiting all season. He had been waiting to actually get into a game -- he was inactive the first 15 of the season before appearing in the Rams game -- but to actually get a start, which happened Sunday against the 49ers, was unexpected. Jackson Barton hurt his ankle Friday. Two days later, Jones played all 65 offensive snaps.
"It was a great opportunity," Jones said. "Sometimes I was a little too hype out there on the field, celebrating every single first down. I'm just happy. I worked hard just to be ready for that opportunity."
The two players who played all 65 offensive snaps for the Cards were rookie linemen; right guard Isaiah Adams was the other. Jones even faced Pro Bowler Nick Bosa, who was trying to get the one sack he needed to reach double figures.
"It was good," Jones said of the matchup. "I was giving my best shot every single rep. You have to respect your opponent but you can't fear him."
(Bosa played 24 snaps in the first half before sitting the rest of the game; he did not appear on the defensive stat sheet.)
What role Jones might have next season is TBD; Paris Johnson Jr. is the left tackle, and veteran Jonah Williams should be back and healthy to play right tackle. Top swing tackle Kelvin Beachum is a free agent, although he said he wants to keep playing.
"I've got to get my technique down," Jones said. "In college you are able to get away with just being a better athlete. But this is bigger, faster, stronger. These guys are running 4.4s, bending like cats, trying to get tp Kyler. I need to be a better technician and be in better shape."
Prior to the last five plays where the offense was subbed out, tight end Trey McBride still got in 58 snaps, with Elijah Higgins in for 31 and Tip Reiman in for 29. Michael Carter led the running backs with 31 snaps while DeeJay Dallas had 10, while Marvin Harrison Jr. led the receivers with 48.
With Michael Wilson out, there were snaps for all the wideouts; Zay Jones had a season-high 38, Greg Dortch was in for 29, rookie Xavier Weaver had 16 and Zach Pascal had 11.
On defense, veterans Budda Baker, Kyzir White and Jalen Thompson all did what they usually do -- played every snap, in this case 73. In the secondary, cornerback Max Melton only played 12 before leaving with a wrist injury and Sean Murphy-Bunting played 30 before being ejected.
Fellow cornerbacks Starling Thomas V (64), Garrett Williams (59) and Kei'Trel Clark (a season-high 44) picked up the slack, and rookie safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson had 29.
At inside linebacker behind White were Mack WIlson Sr. (46) and Krys Barnes (8), while outside linebacker had Zaven Collins (40), Baron Browning (39), Julian Okwara (30) and Xavier Thomas (27).
On the defensive line, L.J. Collier (40), led the way, ahead of Darius Robinson (39), Dante Stills (38), Roy Lopez (26), Naquan Jones (25) and Khyiris Tonga (15).
