LaFleur: Nolen avoided injury, will practice today

Nolen was limited in back-to-back practices after popping up with the calf listing on Thursday. He’s played 319 snaps in 21 career opportunities so far.

The Cardinals’ defense is fairly banged up, and now their star defensive tackle is ailing. He appeared on the injury report as a limited participant today, indicating he suffered the calf injury in practice. Hopefully, it is minor. Stay tuned.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.