The Arizona Cardinals’ highly anticipated rookie, Walter Nolen, has hit his first major setback before even stepping on the field for preseason action. The former five-star recruit and No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is nursing a calf injury suffered during offseason training and is expected to miss a significant portion of training camp.
Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed the injury during Wednesday’s media availability but offered few specifics regarding the defensive tackle’s timeline for return.
“He’s going to miss some time,” Gannon said, via the team’s official website. “He’s working hard to get back.”
Uncertain Timeline Raises Concerns for Week 1 Availability
While the Cardinals remain cautious with updates, Gannon acknowledged that it’s too early to determine if Nolen’s recovery will spill into the regular season. That uncertainty creates a dilemma for a franchise that had hoped the young defensive lineman would make an immediate impact up front.
The injury interrupts what was shaping up to be a critical summer for Nolen, who was projected to earn reps early in Arizona’s defensive rotation. Known for his explosiveness and quick first step, Nolen was seen as a cornerstone of the team’s defensive line rebuild.
Tough Break for Arizona’s Rebuilt Front
Nolen’s setback is a frustrating development for a Cardinals defense undergoing major changes. The organisation invested heavily in the trenches during the draft and free agency, and Nolen — with his elite college pedigree — was one of the centre pieces of that plan.
Arizona ranked among the bottom third of the league in sacks and run defence last season. The hope was that Nolen’s disruptive presence on the interior would help address both issues.
Rookie Setback, But Not a Derailment
Injuries during rookie camp aren’t uncommon, but they’re always disappointing, especially when they involve first-round picks with high expectations. Fortunately for Nolen and the Cardinals, a calf injury isn’t typically a season-long concern, though recovery timelines can vary based on severity and position demands.
While Gannon stopped short of setting a firm timetable, the staff is confident in Nolen’s work ethic and long-term potential.
Bal Leagues Takeaway
Walter Nolen’s injury is a bump in the road, not the end of the journey. As the Cardinals shift focus to preseason evaluations, they’ll need other young linemen to step up in camp while Nolen recovers. If he’s able to return by mid-to-late preseason or early in the regular season, Arizona could still unleash their first-round pick at a pivotal time.
We’ll keep an eye on his recovery timeline and how the defensive front adjusts in his absence.
