With about four hours until kickoff, the Arizona Cardinals made a few roster moves that will have fans excited for Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cardinals activated defensive lineman Walter Nolen III from the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list and cornerback Garrett Williams from the injured reserve/designated for return list. Arizona also elevated running back Michael Carter to the active roster from the practice squad to give the Cardinals three backs for Monday night.
What Can Cardinals Fans Expect From Their Returners?
The Cardinals roster update ahead of Monday Night Football is the best news fans could have asked for. Both Nolen and Williams were limited practice participants this week, and coach Jonathan Gannon said on Saturday morning that their availability would be determined over the next 48 hours.
Nolen hasn’t played a down of football in the NFL yet. The Cardinals drafted Nolen with the 16th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, and he got injured during rookie training camp.
We have made the following moves:
– Activated DL Walter Nolen III from the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP)
– Activated CB Garrett Williams from the injured reserve/designated for return list
– Elevated RB Michael Carter to the active roster from the practice squad as a… pic.twitter.com/PHabStaeZQ— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 3, 2025
The rookie played two years at Texas A&M and one year at Ole Miss in college, collecting more than 100 total tackles, 25 TFLs, and 6.5 sacks. The former Rebel defended three passes, forced two fumbles, and was an All-American his junior year.
Nolen returned to practice this week, and the rookie defensive lineman is now ready to make his NFL debut.
With Nolen playing for the first time this season, expect him to have a snap count and limited playing time. However, seeing the rookie out there for the first time should give the Cardinals’ defense a big lift.
Arizona will also get Williams back, who was off to a strong start through two games in 2025 before getting injured.
The third-year cornerback had 11 tackles and a pass defended before his injury, and is ranked as the 25th-best cornerback in the NFL, according to PSFN’s CB Impact, despite playing in just two games.
Rookie cornerback Will Johnson has started his NFL career on fire, and now the Cardinals will get their 1-2 punch back in the front-half of the secondary.
The third important addition ahead of Monday night’s kickoff is Carter, who Gannon said on Saturday morning will get some snaps against the Cowboys. Carter has played in four games for Arizona this year, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown, and has added nine receptions for 77 yards.
The Cardinals’ backfield will be a three-way split on Monday night with Carter, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight splitting snaps. Knight has been named the starter, but Gannon said Arizona will roll with the hot hand.
The Cardinals and Cowboys kick off at 6:20 p.m. tonight from AT&T Stadium.