As the Cardinals get set to open training camp at State Farm Stadium, they will be without a trio of defensive players, headlined by first-round pick Walter Nolen III.
Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (neck) and outside linebacker BJ Ojulari, who tore his ACL at training camp last season, also won't be on the practice field.
All three were placed on the active Physically Unable to Perform list. They are eligible to start practicing at any time.
Nolen injured his calf while training before camp, coach Jonathan Gannon said. The rookie defensive lineman "is going to miss some time," Gannon added, and he was unsure if Nolen would be healthy enough once the regular season begins.
"He's recovering, rehabbing, and he'll get out there when he needs to get out there," Gannon said.
Darius Robinson, the Cardinals' first-rounder in 2024, injured his calf just days before the regular season last year. He was sidelined until Week 13.
"I really don't like to compare injuries," Gannon said. "It's a little bit of a different injury, and they're obviously different people, so he's working hard to get back."
While losing Nolen for the foreseeable future is a blow for the Cardinals, they heavily invested in the position throughout the offseason. They signed Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, re-signed L.J. Collier, and have a healthy Robinson and Justin Jones returning. They also signed Kyon Barrs from the XFL on Monday.
With Nichols, the defensive lineman had been working off to the side during the open portions of OTAs and minicamp back in June. His 2024 campaign ended when he was placed on injured reserve following his second stinger in the Week 6 loss to the Packers.
Ojulari's injury came on Aug. 2 on a pass rush rep and he spent the entire 2024 season doing rehab. When he's healthy enough to return, he'll join an outside linebacker room which is anchored by Josh Sweat, the Cardinals' marquee free agency addition.
"They want to be out there with their teammates and practice," Gannon said. "We need all three. But when they're healthy, they'll play."
