Jordan

Mills

Mills has been out since going on IR in Week 5. This opens a 21-day window for him to resume practicing. Mills is eligible to return after the Cardinals’ Week 13 matchup with the Rams.

With RT Marcus Gilbert (knee) still on the mend, the Cardinals were in need of a viable tackle immediately. Mills previously soaked up snaps for the Bills as a 16-game starter the past three seasons and should at the very least shore up Arizona’s pass-pro, which allowed five sacks to the Lions in Week 1.

Mills was waived from Miami with an injury settlement at final cuts. He’s been a 16-game starter in Buffalo the last three years, so he should resurface if he’s healthy. The 49ers need a swing tackle after losing Shonn Coleman in the preseason.

The Dolphins signed Mills to a one-year, $3 million deal back in May. He was viewed as their potential starting right tackle, but Mills missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury. With Mills out of the picture, Jesse Davis should open the year opposite Laremy Tunsil.

Mills is being signed to play right tackle, a spot vacated when Ja’Wuan James left for the Broncos in free agency. Mills is not a quality starter, but he is an upgrade on what the Dolphins had. Miami’s offensive line looks like it will once again be a trouble spot.

Mills has been linked with the Texans, but it seems like he is either looking for more money or a better opportunity than they can offer. It would be odd if the Bengals, who just gave RT Bobby Hart a three-year, $16.15 million contract, are willing to offer more than Houston, but perhaps this visit prompts the Texans to better their offer. Mills was never great in Buffalo, but he would have a good shot to beat out Hart at right tackle if the Bengals give him a real chance.

Mills visited Houston earlier this month. The Texans signed Matt Kalil, but Mills would give them another veteran fallback. Seantrel Henderson is Houston’s No. 3 tackle behind Kalil and Julie’n Davenport.

Mills started 16 games at right tackle each of the last three seasons with the Bills, but he was never particularly effective. That said, the Texans need as much offensive line help as any team in the league.

Mills (6-foot-5, 316) has prototypical tackle build with 34-inch arms, and drew raves for his Senior Bowl performance. A right tackle at Louisiana Tech, Mills may have to kick to guard in the pros due to limited athleticism. He also managed only 20 bench-press reps. Mills does have a high enough long-term ceiling to develop into a starting guard or perhaps right tackle. The Bears will view him as a versatile reserve in year one.

They’re projecting Mills (6-foot-5, 316 with 34-inch arms) as a versatile reserve, capable of playing both guard and right tackle. “We’ll probably start him out at right tackle and let him learn a little bit and we’ll move him around,” Emery said. “Big part of the reason we drafted him was his versatility.”