GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals have endured significant blows to their defense this offseason, losing to starters from last year with season-ending injuries. The injury bug has infected much of the camp, including 2025 first-round pick Walter Nolen. The former Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman was sidelined at the start of training camp due to dealing with a nagging calf injury.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Nolen participated in rookie minicamp and voluntary minicamp last month and appeared fine. However, since then, has dealt with a calf injury that has now sidelined him for the first week, and head coach Jonathan Gannon unsure if he’ll be available for the season opener. However, Nolen talked to the Arizona Republic and spoke about his rehab, staying positive during the process.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III walks around during training camp July 27, 2025. He is recovering from an injury. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Cardinals coach on Nolen’s injury progression:
“I feel pretty good. Everything’s been progressing well. I feel like it’s kind of a blessing in disguise. Maybe this is something that God said I needed so I’m just gonna take the ride,” Nolen said. “Rehab brings a lot of that out of you but every day is a new process, learning new ways to take care of my body. Different things I should be doing and different things I should avoid putting in my body and just how to be successful.”
Jun 10, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (97) talks with Calais Campbell (93) and Dante Stills (55) during minicamp at the teams Arizona Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The 21-year-old is take it one day at a time to not let this injury take a mental toll on him. He’s hungry to get back on the field, but understands the risk of rushing back from an injury. That understandable cautious has caused Nolen to not commit to a timeline, but the sneaking suspicious is he will miss all of training camp.
Arizona’s defensive front is stacked with young and veteran talent that could survive without Nolen. Regardless, back-to-back first-round picks that have dealt with injuries in training camp has to be infuriating for the Cardinals. The franchise and Nolen have no option but to rehab and hope for the best, as a potential return date remains up in the air.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
