The Arizona Cardinals’ top rookie may not see the field for much of training camp—or possibly longer. Walter Nolen III, the 16th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, has suffered a calf injury and is expected to miss significant time, according to multiple reports.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed that Nolen will miss “some time” after getting hurt while training. Speaking to reporters, Gannon didn’t rule out the possibility that the rookie defensive tackle could also miss the start of the regular season, saying the team will take it “day by day.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that Nolen is expected to miss most or all of training camp, though no surgery has been reported.
#AZCardinals 1st-round DL Walter Nolen III suffered a calf injury at the team facility that will likely knock him out most or all of training camp, sources say.
Nolen’s timetable puts him right up against the start of the season, but the bulk of his recovery will be in camp. pic.twitter.com/3IYR55aO9O
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2025
A Big Blow for a Team Counting on Rookie Impact
Nolen arrived in Arizona with high expectations after a dominant collegiate career at Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Last season with the Rebels, he tallied 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks—numbers that earned him All-America recognition and top-20 draft status despite some pre-draft questions about his maturity.
For a Cardinals team trying to climb out of a long-term rebuild, this isn’t welcome news. They’ve missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and haven’t won a postseason game in over a decade. Though they doubled their win total from 2024 last year, the franchise remains a work in progress—and Nolen was drafted to be a key piece of that puzzle.
Next Steps and Long-Term Outlook
Calf injuries are tricky, particularly for linemen who rely heavily on burst and lower-body strength. Arizona’s staff will likely be cautious with the 6-foot-4, 295-pound rookie to avoid aggravating the issue. Whether he’s ready for Week 1 or not will depend on how his rehab progresses over the coming weeks.
The Cardinals’ defensive line rotation may need to adjust in his absence, with additional reps likely going to veterans and other rookies fighting for depth roles.
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