TEMPE — The yearlong wait appears to be over for Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Will Hernandez.
After working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in a season that was shaping up to be one of Hernandez’s best, the lineman is expected to get some run on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
It didn’t take long speaking with him Friday to understand just how big the moment is for Arizona’s mauler along the interior.
“To me, it’s been a long time coming. I’ve waited literally a year for this,” Hernandez said. “When I went out, I felt like I was at the highest of highs and definitely felt the lowest of lows.
“To me, it’s means more than just coming in and playing a few snaps of football. It means everything to me. It’s everything I worked for my entire life and everything I always took pride in. It means literally everything to me.”
Those “few snaps” could be much more this week, too.
Hernandez’s return couldn’t come at better time, with starting left guard Evan Brown officially doubtful for Sunday after missing Friday’s practice.
There are not many times a doubtful status translates to suiting up on game days, leaving the Cardinals down a starter opposite right guard Isaiah Adams.
Where might Cardinals OL Will Hernandez line up upon his return?
Although Hernandez has served as Arizona’s starting right guard since coming to town in 2023, the lineman has plenty of reps on the left side of the line — 2,618 to be exact — across his first three NFL seasons with the New York Giants.
That kind of versatility could play into where he lines up upon his return.
Isaiah Adams has gone through some growing pains this season but appears to be trending upward as the starting reps keep coming.
Moving Adams to the left side could very well impact his growth on the right. There’s also the confidence factor at play here.
Don’t forget the 2023 rookie that Hernandez lined up next to on the right side in Paris Johnson Jr., either.
The two know each other well. That connection could help in creating an easier transition for Hernandez as he knocks the rust off.
Either way, it sounds like Mijo is back and ready to contribute, not hang out on the sideline.
Wherever he lines up, Hernandez could be the jolt the offensive line and unit as a whole need in turning things around.
There’s clearly something missing in the Cardinals’ rushing attack, with Arizona well below expectations four games in behind an 22nd-ranked rushing offense (105.8 yards per game) and just one rushing touchdown on the season.
The going got tougher on the ground this week, with starting running back Trey Benson sidelined for at least the next four games with a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Original starter James Conner was lost the week prior to a foot injury that will keep him out for the year.
Any reinforcements are good reinforcements right now for the Cardinals offense.
“That is not an easy injury to come back from,” Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday. “Will has been working hard. He has been practicing ever since we got into the regular season.
“Will has done a tremendous job of being back in there working through his injury and getting up to speed on the offense, the changes and the things that we’re doing. Will is very close. We’re excited to get him back out there.”
