Mondays in Tempe have felt a bit like Groundhog Day as the losses and injuries have piled up.
This Monday, however, could trickle into the 2026 season.
Coach Jonathan Gannon announced that defensive lineman Walter Nolen III and cornerback Garrett Williams will go on Injured Reserve after suffering serious injuries during Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Unable to provide further information as further tests are still required, Gannon reiterated Williams hurt his Achilles tear and Nolen hurt his knee.
In the limited action Nolen saw during his rookie season, he proved that the Cardinals drafted a defensive lineman with tons of potential. During Sunday's loss against the Falcons, he showcased his disruptive skillset, generating pressure on Kirk Cousins' interception. Through six games, Nolen had five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks, and a fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown.
As he was getting carted off the field, the emotions poured out.
"You feel bad for the guy because I know he didn't see this year going like it did," Gannon said. "He has shown the ability to be a difference maker on our defense and impact the game in the run and pass game. He will be a huge piece of us moving forward."
Prior to this knee injury, Nolen dealt with another knee issue, as well as a pre-training camp calf injury that forced him to miss the first seven games of the season.
"Everything happens for a reason (where you) go from never missing games to not even being able to play a half a season," Nolen wrote in an Instagram post. "Time to get back to work and show the world it's not about how u get knocked down but your willingness to get back up and fight again."
The injury to Williams added to what was already a difficult season for the cornerback. He missed five games earlier in the year after a knee injury in the home opener landed him on IR. The Achilles injury in the home finale ended his third season.
"They know it's part of the game," Gannon said. "Yes, we've had more (injuries) this year than since we've been here. That's a fact. But guys step in and assume roles and play good football."
It adds to the laundry list of injuries that the Cardinals have had to navigate. A league-leading 80 different players have suited up for the Cardinals this season, and no team has more players on IR.
Following the game, defensive lineman Calais Campbell commented that with the injury revolving door, there are many new faces in the room. On the field, it's challenging to build that chemistry. Gannon re-shared a story on Monday that he told his coaches about developing all 90 players during training camp because, with injuries expected, there is a chance some of the guys who get cut could see the regular season roster.
There's hope from Gannon that next week could have a different fate on the scoreboard and in the training room.
"For me, at least, are you trying to do everything that you can? How can I impact winning?" Gannon said. "You try to make tweaks here or there. You keep a good attitude, you keep the right mindset, you do your job at a high level, and it's hard when you're not getting the results you want. But no one is going to jump off the diving board, I know that."
