Calais Campbell has had multiple conversations in the last week or two with Walter Nolen III, the oldest defensive lineman on the team helping mentor the youngest defensive lineman in Nolen's quest to return to the field.
The field part happened Wednesday, when the Cardinals opened the practice window for the first-round pick, 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.
Campbell is excited, like the rest of the defense. But the 18-year veteran also preached patience.
"Expectations, lower them a little bit," Campbell said. "He's young and he has to go through his growing pains even though he is super-talented. I was reminding him because he's eager. I'm like, 'Slow down because you haven't played real football in a long time now.' He corrected me because I said it was a year and he was like, 'It's not a whole year.'
"He has to manage his own expectations, and the outside world should too, because it's a process."
Nolen still has never played or practiced in pads as a pro.
"He hasn't played football in a while, but he's ready," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "He's fired up and he's ready to get out there."
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.
"He's been pretty anxious," Campbell said. "It'll be fun to see. Today was a walkthough, but you could still see, 'Whoa.' He's quick, he's got a little something different there. It's nice to see. Being athletic and transitioning to being on the field and making plays and being successful in the NFL, it's a challenge."
The 21 days would be up on Nov. 5, the Wednesday before the Cardinals play in Seattle. But Nolen is able to be reinstated to the roster at any time between now and then. The Cardinals play in Dallas on Monday night the week after the bye.
"On the field, I think we get a guy who brings an edge to the defensive line, especially as a pass rusher," left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. said. "I think fans will be excited to see him back in the fold. I am."
Darius Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick who coincidentally also missed the front part of his rookie season with a calf injury and who missed the last two games with a pectoral injury, also returned to practice on Wednesday.
"It's exciting coming from college and playing in the league so this will be fun for (Nolen)," Robinson said. "I remember my first week coming back I was the same because the last time I had really played was college.
"Us being out there together, that's the big thing."
Nolen was not available for comment.
His return 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.
"Reinforcements are good to have," Campbell said. "We've had a lot of talent that hasn't been on the field for us."
