GLENDALE – Star defensive rookie still can’t catch break on the injury front. Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon announced on Wednesday that defensive tackle Walter Nolen won’t be on the practice field this week and will miss Week 13 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a knee injury. Nolen suffered the injury last week that forced him to exit the game, but not before he was able to record his first career touchdown off a batted ball.
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Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III (97) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Nolen’s first career touchdown vs. Jaguars:
The moment will surely be one for Nolen’s mantle, but his rookie season has been a rough one to endure. A calf injury in the summer rookie camps kept him off the field for five months, with Arizona placing him on PuP list. The 22-year-old’s long awaited debut came against the Dallas Cowboys, which he put on a show with a sack and a batted ball in the win.
Nolen was able to play in four straight games for the team before this latest injury has put him back on the sideline. The Cardinals seemed to be limiting his reps in the past four games to avoid this type of scenario, playing around only 50% of the defensive snaps. However, some aspects of football are unavoidable, as Nolen is back battling injures.
Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III (97) celebrates with Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) after recovering a fumble and scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The former first-round pick has made an instant impact for this defensive front of Arizona. Against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has one of the best pass protections in the NFL, Nolen’s absence will be felt heavy. The pressure will be on the shoulder of 39-year-old Calais Campbell to lead this front and continue having a sensational season for the team. It’ll up to Campbell and the cornerback room to try and shut down quarterback Baker Mayfield from running away in this one.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
