The Cardinals hope to soon see what their first-round pick looks like in pads.
The team opened the practice window for defensive lineman Walter Nolen III on Wednesday, giving him 21 days to be reinstated to the 53-man roster. He remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, where he has been since training camp started because of a calf injury.
It's an interesting time to get Nolen back on the field, given that the Cardinals held only a walkthough on Wednesday. They will return to full work Thursday. They also are expected to have limited field work next week going into their bye.
The Cardinals also placed tight end Travis Vokolek on Injured Reserve because of the neck injury he suffered against the Colts. Gannon said Vokolek is done for the season, becoming the second tight end in as many weeks -- Tip Reiman against the Titans -- to be lost for the season with injury.
To replace Vokolek on the 53-man roster the Cardinals promoted tight end Josiah Deguara from the practice squad. The team also signed tight end Pharaoh Brown and wide receiver Bryson Green to the practice squad. Green was with the Cardinals in training camp.
But the big news was Nolen's return, coupled with the fact 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson also was returning to practice. Robinson had missed the last two games with a pectoral injury. Nolen, because of the timing of his injury, hasn't worn pads for a practice or game since he was still in college last season.
It comes at a time when injuries have beat up the defensive line. L.J. Collier and Justin Jones remain on IR with knee injuries. The Cardinals were missing not only Robinson but Bilal Nichols last weekend as well, although Nichols missed for personal reasons and will be back this week.
More to come on azcardinals.com
