Walter Nolen III Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Rams vs Cardinals game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 26, 2025
Out for Week 13
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday that Nolen (knee) won't play in Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen exited this past Sunday's overtime loss to the Jaguars due to a knee injury, and the Cardinals quickly determined that the rookie defensive tackle would need to miss at least one game. The 2025 first-round pick from Ole Miss has been a force when on the field, recording eight total tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown through just four appearances.
Nov 23, 2025
Ruled out with knee
Nolen (knee) has been ruled out and will not return to Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen was a limited participant in practice this week with a knee injury, though it is unclear if that fact is related to the injury he sustained during Sunday's game. In the starting defensive tackle's absence Dalvin Tomlinson or PJ Mustipher will likely play more rotational snaps on the defensive line.
Nov 16, 2025
Good to go Week 11
Nolen (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen was limited in practice during Week 11 prep, but he has been given the green light to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. The rookie first-rounder has posted six tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defense over his last two games.
Nov 14, 2025
Gets questionable tag for Sunday
Nolen (knee) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen was a limited participant at practice throughout the week, so he probably has close to coin-flip odds of playing in Week 11. If he can't, PJ Mustipher would figure to see additional work at defensive tackle Sunday.
Nov 13, 2025
Remains limited Thursday
Nolen (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen sustained a knee injury during the Cardinals' Week 10 loss to the Seahawks. The injury limited his practice participation Wednesday and Thursday, but he would avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against San Francisco with a full practice Friday. The rookie first-rounder has posted six tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defense over his last two games.
Nov 12, 2025
Estimed as limited participant
Nolen (knee) was estimated as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen has been plagued by lower-body injuries during his rookie season, and he suffered a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. It's a positive sign that he was available to participate in Arizona's walkthrough on Wednesday, though his status for a Week 11 matchup against the 49ers is unclear.
Nov 9, 2025
Exits early Sunday
Nolen (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
Nolen suffered an apparent knee injury in the second half, and he will now sit out the remainder of the game. The defensive tackle recorded two total tackles while also getting a hit on quarterback Sam Darnold prior to his departure in Week 10.
Nov 3, 2025
Green light to play Dallas
The Cardinals activated Nolen (calf) from injured reserve, and he is active for Monday's game against the Cowboys, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The rookie first-rounder has been cleared to make his NFL regular-season debut after missing the first seven games due to a calf injury he sustained during training camp. Nolen will likely work in a rotational role at defensive tackle when Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson are resting.
Nov 1, 2025
Questionable to play
Nolen (calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
Nolen has been a limited participant in practice since the Cardinals designated him to return from injured reserve Oct. 15. The rookie first-rounder has a chance to make his NFL debut for Monday's primetime matchup against the Cowboys, as head coach Jonathan Gannon made it sound as if he had a good chance to play, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Oct 30, 2025
Still limited by calf injury
Nolen (calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Nolen has been a limited practice participant since the Cardinals designated him to return from injured reserve Oct. 15. The rookie first-rounder will likely have to log full practices before being activated from IR ahead of Monday's game against the Cowboys. Nolen is in the final stages of his recovery from a calf injury he sustained in late July during training camp.
Oct 17, 2025
Won't be activated for Week 7
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that Nolen (calf) won't be activated for Sunday's game against the Packers, Bo Brack of PHNX Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen practiced Wednesday, opening his three-week window to come off the PUP list, but he won't be activated for Sunday's game against the Packers. The rookie first-round pick's next chance to make his NFL debut will come Nov. 3 in Dallas following the Cardinals' Week 8 bye.
Oct 16, 2025
Remains limited Thursday
Nolen (calf) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Nolen made his official return to practice for the first time since suffering a calf injury in late July. The defensive tackle has been on the reserve/PUP list for the entirety of his rookie campaign to this point, and he'll have one more chance to log a full practice before the team hosts Green Bay on Sunday.
Oct 15, 2025
Logs limited session
Nolen (calf) was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and then logged a limited session the same day. He hasn't practiced since late July, so he'll likely need several days of activity before being ready for game action.
Oct 15, 2025
Practice window opened
The Cardinals designated Nolen (calf) to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
The 16th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft has been sidelined since the offseason due to a calf injury, but he has progressed enough in his recovery to be cleared to practice. Nolen was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but he's far from a guarantee to make his NFL regular-season debut against the Packers on Sunday, even if he were to practice in full over the next two days. The Cardinals have 21 days to active Nolen from the PUP list.
Aug 26, 2025
Set to miss early action
Nolen (calf) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Cardinals on Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen has been sidelined since late July with a calf injury, and he will now be forced to miss at least four games to open the season while on the PUP list. The defensive tackle was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in April, and once healthy, he'll challenge for a starting role on the Cardinals' defensive line.
Jul 23, 2025
Dealing with calf injury
The Cardinals placed Nolen on the active/PUP list Wednesday due to a calf injury, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Nolen will be able to return to practice and participate in preseason games. However, head coach Jonathan Gannon relayed Wednesday that the rookie first-rounder is expected to miss "some time" and the injury could keep Nolen out for the start of the regular season, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Nolen's absence opens the door for PJ Mustipher and Elijah Simmons to see more reps at defensive tackle during training camp.
Apr 24, 2025
Goes to Cardinals at 16 overall
The Cardinals selected Nolen in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 16th overall.
ANALYSIS
Nolen is still coming into his own as a 21-year-old interior defensive lineman, but the potential is there. A five-star recruit out of high school, Nolen played two collegiate seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to Mississippi for his final year. He blossomed at Ole Miss with 14 tackles for loss and a career-best 6.5 sacks. Athletically, he has a similar frame to fellow first-rounder Mason Graham at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds. Though Nolen did not participate in drills, the tape shows him to be athletic for his position. He projects to play defensive tackle in Arizona's four-man front.
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