Rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen III is poised to make his much-anticipated NFL debut for the Arizona Cardinals tonight as they face the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
Having been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list, Nolen is set to take the field after recovering from a calf injury that kept him sidelined before training camp. Although he has yet to participate in an official game for the Cardinals, that will change within hours.
Initially, there were concerns regarding Nolen”s recovery, as it was expected he would return at the start of the regular season. However, he remained on the PUP list for the start of the year before his practice window was finally opened.
Drafted as the first-round pick by the Cardinals in the 2025 NFL Draft, Nolen was known for his disruptive presence on the defensive line during his time at Ole Miss, making him a valuable asset for a team looking to bolster its interior defense. “It was a good night. We”re excited to add Walter Nolen III from Ole Miss. A guy we did a lot of work on,” said Monti Ossenfort, the Cardinals” general manager, after the draft. “The tape spoke for itself—violent, disruptive, high motor, tenacious, three-down player. It is hard to find those guys that can affect the pocket from the interior of the formation, so we”re really excited to add Walter.”
The Cardinals” defensive line, which has seen standout performances from Calais Campbell but little else, is eager to see the No. 16 overall pick make an immediate impact. Coach Gannon emphasized the importance of disruption on defense during draft night, stating, “We wanted to have a more disruptive defensive unit. When we find players that can affect the middle of the pocket, it puts a lot of stress on the offense.”
While it is unlikely that Nolen will play a significant number of snaps in his debut, the Cardinals plan to ease him into the rotation, especially as their front seven already experiences considerable changes in personnel.
The excitement surrounding Nolen”s debut adds a layer of anticipation to an already pivotal matchup for the Cardinals as they seek to improve their season performance.
