Arizona Cardinals Bring Back Zay Jones After Jalen Brooks’ Season-Ending Injury

Cardinals Bring Back Zay Jones After Losing Jalen Brooks© Instagram

Arizona is turning back to Zay Jones after losing another receiver. The Cardinals are signing the veteran following a Tuesday workout, according to multiple reports, with Jalen Brooks placed on season-ending injured reserve the same day.

Brooks dislocated his wrist against Denver on Sunday and kept playing. Emergency surgery followed Monday, ending a season in which he had begun taking on more work after Marvin Harrison Jr.'s departure. Jones, who spent the previous two seasons with Arizona, was among four receivers brought in as the Cardinals looked for help.

Jones Gets Another Opportunity After Injury-Hit Arizona Stint

Jones worked out alongside Ronnie Bell, James Proche and former Arizona State receiver Xavier Guillory. The Cardinals opted for the 31-year-old, whose last regular-season appearances came with them in 2025.

His first stint in Arizona never gathered much momentum. Jones played 11 games in 2024 and eight last season, totaling 20 catches for 267 yards without a touchdown. A torn Achilles ended his 2025 campaign.He joined Houston during the summer but was released before the regular season. Now he gets another opportunity with a team that has already changed its receiving group substantially this month.

Harrison was traded to the Texans on October 11. Brooks' injury has since removed another option, leaving Arizona searching for bodies as well as production.

Jones has 307 career receptions for 3,295 yards and 18 touchdowns across his previous nine NFL seasons. His strongest year came with Jacksonville in 2022, when he caught 82 passes for 823 yards and five scores.

Brooks Played Through Wrist Dislocation Against Denver

Brooks hurt his wrist in the first quarter of Sunday's game but played the remaining three quarters. Mike LaFleur said the injury had not been reported to the staff during the game; reviewing the film, the coach noticed Brooks occasionally tending to it.

“I can't say enough about how tough that dude is,” LaFleur said Monday.Brooks finished Sunday with a 35-yard reception and ends his season with five catches for 81 yards. His contribution extended to kickoff returns, where he gained 499 yards on 19 attempts.

LaFleur had spoken Monday about replacing him by committee. Kendrick Bourne, Simi Fehoko and rookie Reggie Virgil were among the available receivers alongside Michael Wilson, with Harrison Wallace III on the practice squad.

Bourne has 25 catches for 234 yards this season. Virgil has two for 29 and played only three offensive snaps against Denver as Arizona used more three-tight-end formations.The Cardinals travel to Dallas next.