The Arizona Cardinals player is coming back from a serious injury

TEMPE – Nothing like a nice Wednesday surprise from Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon.

Before the team prepared for its Week 9 game against the Chicago Bears, Gannon met with reporters before practice and delivered some big news: Right tackle Jonah Williams would be at practice today.

Williams, who was benched with an injury after just one quarter played in Week 1, has since been sidelined with a knee injury, and while there were serious doubts about his ability to return this season, the Cardinals are opening him a 21-day training window According to to the team’s official writer Darren Urban.

“(He will be) an important player for us,” Gannon said when asked about what Williams showed before the injury. The veteran signed a two-year, $30 million contract in free agency this offseason.

“He has very good technique. He is strong. He’s smart, he plays with a really good level of pads. He didn’t play much, but he did well with the snaps he did take. We will fight him day by day.”

Backup right guard Kelvin Beachum has played the most snaps since Williams’ departure, despite dealing with a groin injury since the start of the season. After a difficult stint in Buffalo, Beachum improved his game significantly and since then he has been unable to put pressure at right tackle for weeks.

Williams will have exactly three weeks to practice before the Cardinals will have to either move him to the active roster or place him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

It can be activated at any time within 21 days.

Previously, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported Williams could potentially return in November, although there were serious doubts about his ability to overcome his knee injury.

Now Arizona seems confident that one of their biggest free agent signings will return soon.

The Cardinals will face the Chicago Bears and New York Jets at home over the next two weeks before having a bye. Arizona is 4-4 and sits in first place in the NFC West with a 2-0 record in division play.