The Arizona Cardinals’ defense has been decent in 2025, but it could get a major piece back for the first time this season in rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen III.
The Cardinals drafted Nolen in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he suffered a calf injury in rookie training camp and has yet to play a snap in the NFL.
However, Nolen could make his NFL debut on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has confidence in the impact he’ll make.
What’s the Latest on Walter Nolen III?
Shortly after rookie training camp began, Nolen injured his calf and was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
The Cardinals opened the first-round pick’s 21-day practice window on Oct. 15, and he has been able to practice for the last couple of weeks for the first time since his injury.
Despite Nolen’s limited practice time, Rallis has been impressed with what he’s seen from the young defensive lineman.
“The No. 1 thing that he’s shown is that he has been working really hard when he hasn’t been able to be out there at practice in terms of physically getting back to the state that he’s in,” Rallis said. “He does not look like he’s tired or out of shape out there, so he’s been working.
“But, also just the being able to go out there and execute our stuff has been impressive. It’s hard to be out for that long and execute from a mental perspective at a high level, just because even if you are working hard at it, there’s something different to being out there.”
The Cardinals’ defense is currently ranked 19th in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact. Arizona has a C grade but is right around average with its 71.8 score.
The Cardinals have had decent production from their front four but could use some improvement when rushing the passer.
Nolen may not have been on the field for the last few months, but he’s been doing the behind-the-scenes work to be ready when healthy.
“I always tell the players, ‘Like if I had to go out there, like don’t get me wrong, I’d know the stuff very well in the classroom, but if I had to go out there with live bullets, like it’s hard to do,'” Rallis said. “So, he’s done a really good job with that. It just speaks to his work ethic and speaks to his intelligence.”
The Cardinals drafted Nolen with the 16th pick in this year’s draft out of Ole Miss. The rookie defensive lineman played his first two years of college at Texas A&M, where he collected 67 tackles, 11 TFLs, and five sacks.
Nolen then transferred to Ole Miss for his junior year, where he had 48 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks. The Rebels’ defensive lineman also had three passes defended and two fumble recoveries in his All-American junior campaign.
The Cardinals are expected to activate Nolen from the PUP list this week, and the goal is for him to be ready to make his NFL debut on Monday Night Football.
