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    Cardinals DL Walter Nolen limps away with trainers

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    ARI Defensive Lineman #97
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    Cardinals DL Walter Nolen left practice early on Friday after suffering an apparent knee injury.

    This is a bummer. A torn meniscus in his left knee ended Nolen’s 2025 rookie season. Multiple beat reporters say Nolen appeared to injure his left knee today. He had been drawing positive reviews in training camp thus far. Hopefully, this is only a short-term injury.
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  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
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    Phew. Nolen suffered a surgery-worthy meniscus injury in his left knee last season, ending his rookie campaign prematurely. Nolen left practice early last Friday and appeared to be in considerable pain, indicating to team trainers that something was wrong with his left knee. Apparently, this is more so a mental hurdle than anything else. Speaking to the media before practice, LaFleur explained that sometimes when a player is returning from a serious injury, discomfort can, understandably, cause a scare. The Cardinals’ promising youngster will take the practice field with his teammates this afternoon.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle #93
    While we are happy for Martin, we can’t help but wonder if this is related to the apparent left knee injury DT Walter Nolen appeared to suffer at today’s practice. Hopefully, the Cardinals are just playing it safe. Martin entered the NFL as a 2023 third-round pick with the Lions.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
    Nolen winds up with only 169 defensive snaps in 2025 between a Week 1-8 calf injury, a Week 12-14 knee injury, and this latest cart-off against the Falcons in Week 16. He had a 74.1 PFF defensive grade, but obviously the Cardinals will be hoping for a little more availability going forward in the second year of Nolen’s rookie contract.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
    Nolen was knocked down after getting tangled up in a block. He returned to his feet and attempted to step forward in pursuit of Falcons QB Kirk Cousins but pulled up, grabbing at his left knee. He was ruled out shortly thereafter. The Cardinals also ruled out EDGE Josh Sweat (ankle), after he was initially questionable to return.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
    This is unfortunate. The Cardinals’ first-round rookie missed Weeks 1-8 with a calf injury. In his short time active, Nolen racked up five quarterback pressures, one sack, six tackles and two TFLs. On the Jaguars’ second drive today, Cardinals S Jalen Thompson hit QB Trevor Lawrence from behind, during the windup, which sent the ball toward Nolen, who caught it with his right hand as he fended off a Jaguars blocker with his left. Nolen took off toward the end zone, dove, was hit in the air by a Cardinals player and tumbled into the end zone, scoring the pick-six. The Cardinals also announced OG Will Hernandez (hip) is questionable to return.
  • ARI Defensive Lineman #97
    The 16th overall selection will plug into Arizona’s defensive line rotation immediately. The Cardinals also activated CB Garrett Williams from injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game against the Cowboys.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle
    Nolen suffered the calf injury in training camp and has been on the PUP list ever since. He now has 21 days to be activated from the PUP list and will practice for the first time today. The No. 16 overall pick was a force to be reckoned with against both the run and pass in college. He was expected to help revamp Arizona’s front seven, but the injury has prevented him from doing so thus far.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle
    Nolen was selected with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft but suffered a calf injury while gearing up for camp, something that will now cost the talented rookie at least four games. The Cardinals have been dealt multiple blows on the defensive side of the ball before the season even started, with linebacker BJ Ojulari and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols also on the PUP list to start the season. The Cardinals also waived DL Kyon Barrs, LS Aaron Brewer, LB Elliott Brown, OL Jeremiah Byers, RB Michael Carter, OL Jake Curhan, RB DeeJay Dallas, TE Josiah Deguara, WR Simi Fehoko, DL Anthony Goodlow, WR Bryson Green, CB Darren Hall, OL Sincere Haynesworth, CB Jaylon Jones, OL Nick Leverett, OL Royce Newman, WR Tejhuan Palmer, S Jammie Robinson, DL Elijah Simmons, and LB Mykal Walker.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle
    Arizona’s No. 16 overall pick will head to the sidelines for the start of his first training camp as a pro. Nolen was a high-ceiling defensive tackle at Ole Miss who needed to show more consistency in his game. A lack of practice time isn’t going to do him any favors. Though the Cardinals’ defense should improve in Gannon’s second year on the headset, they aren’t off to a great start. Linebacker BJ Ojulari and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols were also placed on the PUP list.
  • ARI Defensive Tackle
    The deal includes a fifth-year option for the Cardinals. Nolen showed flashes of future All-Pro play at Ole Miss and was one of the most physically-imposing players in the draft. Jonathan Gannon will be tasked with making those flashes become the standard. Nolen will likely break in as part of a rotation with Calais Campbell, Darius Robinson, and Justin Jones up front early in the season.

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  • DAL Running Back #20
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    ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that Cowboys Malik Davis (hip) will have surgery and be placed on injured reserve.

    It is unclear whether this is a season-ending injury or if Davis has a chance to return later in the year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier that the Cowboys were “bracing for an extended absence” and that a source told him, “it’s bad.” It sounds like Davis’ 2026 season may be over. Cowboys RB Emari Demercado now sits behind starting RB Javonte Williams, and RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.
  • CAR Quarterback #9
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that the Panthers will “likely” decide whether to offer QB Bryce Young an extension in the 2027 offseason.

    Young has two years remaining on his contract, but is currently eligible for an extension. According to Wolfe, Young needs to improve in three areas. First, Young must check down when it’s the responsible thing to do, in turn elevating his completion rate to the “high 60s, low 70s” range. Second, Young must be comfortable playing with tempo and diverse personnel formations, including WR Tetairoa McMillan lining up in the slot more often. Third, Young must play quickly and decisively. Whether he can accomplish these feats is up in the air. He’s a mid-to-low QB2 for fantasy purposes.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #87
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    The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports that the Giants’ plan to elevate WR Braxton Berrios from the practice squad is unrelated to WR Malik Nabers (knee).

    This one is for the practice squad transactions grinders. Nabers is questionable to play in Week 1 against the Cowboys and has made it clear that he is weighing his long-term health heavily as he decides whether to play. Per Duggan, if the Giants elevate a second wide receiver, that “would be a very discouraging sign.” Stay tuned.
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    Vikings restructured CB Isaiah Rodgers’ contract.

    According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the restructure converts playtime incentives, up to $1.5 million, into a signing bonus “as a nod to his status as a proven starter.” Prior to the new deal, the Vikings also had only $6.39 million in salary cap space, the eighth-lowest amount in the NFL.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill believes Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) will not have a “huge role” if he plays in Week 1 against the Lions.

    Underhill notes that Kamara practiced fully on Friday, “so he’s cleared, but the team is deep at running back.” This is good news for starting RB Travis Etienne, who should lead the team in carries easily and potentially hog snaps in scoring position since Kamara will be less than 100 percent healthy, if active. Saints RB3 Kendre Miller is the next man up.
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    Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said RB Mike Washington is “still a maturing player” and has “earned more opportunities.”

    Overall, these comments are positive, but this is the first time in a while that Kubiak has added a qualifier when complimenting his rookie running back. The Raiders head coach said Washington is “a talented man that we’re going to keep giving opportunities to,” yet notes that the team is now about to go against live defenses “for 17 weeks in a row here before the playoffs, so he’s got to keep maturing.” This serves as a helpful reminder that despite Washington’s strong preseason showing, RB Ashton Jeanty is still the clear-cut starter. Washington can return FLEX value against the Dolphins’ defense, but perhaps Kubiak is considering easing Washington into a rotational role a little more so than he previously indicated. Regardless, Washington remains one of the highest-valued backups in fantasy football and should be rostered in all formats.
  • FA Defensive Lineman #95
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    Lions released DL Levi Onwuzurike.

    Onwuzurike, 28, tore an ACL in July 2025, ending his season before it began. His 2026 salary would have been fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster when Week 1 kicked off, so it is possible that this is just a salary cap maneuver, and we will see the Lions re-sign him to a team-friendly deal soon.
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    Titans claimed OG Atonio Mafi, formerly of the Raiders, off waivers.

    Mafi entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with the Patriots. He made his way to Las Vegas last year, but was unable to secure a long-term role. He could end up on the practice squad in Tennessee.
  • ARI Outside Linebacker #10
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    Cardinals EDGE Josh Sweat (knee/rest) is not on the final injury report and will play in Week 1 against the Chargers.

    Sweat upgraded to full participation today, which is good news. The Cardinals’ pass rusher was reportedly unhappy with the team this offseason and was ultimately placed on the physically unable to perform list. Today, GM Monti Ossenfort revealed that Sweat had an “offseason procedure,” presumably on his knee. The two sides appear to have resolved their issues, and Sweat is seemingly good to go after a successful rehab.
  • JAC Running Back #5
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    Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen (hip) is questionable for Week 1 against the Browns.

    Allen was expected to take on an expanded receiving role, in addition to his pass-protection duties, but a hip injury has stalled that plan. If active, he is unlikely to do more than help keep QB Trevor Lawrence upright. If he is inactive, the team could employ a committee approach in addressing his vacated duties.