Disruptive Defensive Lineman Walter Nolen III Just Getting Into Rhythm

Rookie has two sacks, five TFLs, touchdown in five games

Dec 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM

Zach Gershman

azcardinals.com

Defensive tackle Walter Nolen III teams with linebacker Zaven Collins to tackle Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud last weekend.

When Walter Nolen III was drafted, Jonathan Gannon said when someone watched the tape, it was clear why "this guy is a Cardinal 1000 percent."

Through five games, the traits of the defensive lineman remain impressive to the head coach.

"Disruptiveness," Gannon said. "Maybe besides that is how many games that he's played. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes, which is cool to see. He can take it to the grass. He understands what he needs to get done in a particular play, but just his ability to be disruptive in the run and pass game."

What's arguably most impressive is in the fashion he has been able to do so. Because of a pre-training camp calf injury, Nolen missed all of the preseason work and the first seven games of the season. After he made his return in Week 9 against the Cowboys, Nolen left the Week 10 and Week 12 battles early with other injuries.

Due to that, Gannon admitted that it might be tough for a player to get into a rhythm.

"It's hard," Gannon said. "Each week that you're building on you can make adjustments, you can make tweaks, and you can kind of have some growth from that. Where if you're not on the field, you kind of have to reset where you were and then it just slows down your growth process, I would say, but he's done a good job. He really has."

While Nolen doesn't necessarily disagree with his coach, he described the transition of getting back on the field in a simpler fashion.

"Football is football and I just love playing it," Nolen said. "Whenever I get the opportunity to play, I'm going to give it my all every time."

Through five games, Nolen has two sacks, five tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery which he returned for a touchdown.

Although he wouldn't describe it as frustrating, the 22-year-old is honest enough to admit it hasn't been easy. He said the season has mirrored a life which included tons of adversity. But it's the challenges which have molded Nolen's mentality.

"At this point in my life, it's kind of what comes with it," Nolen said. "Not everything is going to be all gravy and all easy. Usually, people who have a hard road come out more successful anyways."

As the Cardinals get set to host the Falcons, an offense which features one of the league's most dynamic running backs in Bijan Robinson, it's another chance for Nolen to earn valuable NFL experience.

Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was pleased with the "motor and violence" with which Nolen demonstrated against the Texans. Between Gannon and Rallis, there's confidence in his ability to improve on that performance.

For Nolen, as long as he's on the field, he feels like he's in a rhythm. It's the same thing he hopes the fans see in the home finale.

"I just want them to know that they can trust in me and depend on me for the rest of time that I'm here," Nolen said. "Hopefully we'll give them a show that everybody comes out to watch. It would mean everything if we can give them a W in the last home game."