Injuries happen in football. Just not to Paris Johnson Jr.
So it stung when a leg across his knee Week 15 against the Patriots ended the left tackle's 2024 season.
"I haven't had the issue ever," Johnson said. "I haven't missed a game in high school, college, or ever up until that point. It's part of the game and it happens, unfortunately."
The time away allowed the knee to heal and the former first-rounder said he was "completely" good to go as the Cardinals began their offseason strength and conditioning program on Tuesday. The voluntary work began with Phase One, and will end in mid-June with the mandatory minicamp.
It's an important offseason for Johnson for a multitude of reasons. After playing right tackle during his rookie season and switching over to the left side last year, this will mark the first time the 23-year-old will play the same position in back-to-back seasons since high school.
"I'm trying to show the world that it's time for me to make the jump and be the best version of myself," Johnson said. "And I believe the best version of myself is as one of the best tackles in the game. Now it's time to show it."
Despite the knee injury, Johnson finished the 2024 campaign as a Pro Bowl alternate and was an instrumental part of an offensive line which helped running back James Conner rush for over 1,000 yards for the second straight season.
The Arizona Cardinals returned to the Dignity Health Training Facility for the first day of the 2025 offseason program
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman McClendon Curtis during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Anthony Goodlow (97) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Sincere Haynesworth during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals punter Blake Gillikin (12) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jaylon Jones during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker BJ Ojulari (9) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei'Trel Clark (13) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Elijah Higgins (84) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Nick Leverett (50) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
The Arizona Cardinals during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (17) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman McClendon Curtis during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Elijah Jones (28) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Milo Eifler (48) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams (21) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Xavier Weaver (89) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer (46) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (74) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson (56) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt (72) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland (38) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (70) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mykal Walker during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the offseason workout program at the Dignity Health Training Facility on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tempe, AZ.
While there is continuity among the players on the offensive line (the Cardinals re-signed left guard Evan Brown and veteran tackle Kelvin Beachum), there is a new voice leading the room. Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye was hired after Klayton Adams departed to become the Cowboys' offensive coordinator.
Yes, the Cardinals got the coach who helped elevate Johnson's game in college to ultimately become a first-round pick.
"The communication, the techniques, the stuff I feel like we communication on, we're on the same page a lot." Johnson said of reuniting with Frye. "I feel like I'm starting to revert back to the training development that (helped) to get to this point, but now I've added the tools and the physical experience of playing my first two years already."
With the draft being days away, Johnson would love for his Ohio State brethren to be selected because of the familiarity with Frye's coaching style. The trenches are a priority, and Buckeyes offensive linemen Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson have previously been mocked to the Cardinals.
Johnson speaking up is intentional. Since entering the facility, even though he's the usually one of youngest guys in the room, there's been an emphasis on leadership. Being vocal now goes beyond his game day role of pumping up his fellow lineman.
"I'm trying to work on being able to communicate, not only on the hype side, but trying to communicate team goals," Johnson said. "That's a step I'll have to take. The calmer version of communicating."
That step has been taken with the first day of voluntary workouts in the books.
"The offseason, especially with me being hurt, felt longer than usual," Johnson said. "Having that itch to get back to work and be back in the building with the guys, I'm very excited."
