Arizona Cardinals open 2025 camp with a blow as rookie Walter Nolen III and BJ Ojulari land on the PUP list. How will the team overcome key defensive injuries?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Football is officially back in the desert, but the Arizona Cardinals' 2025 training camp kicked off with a dose of harsh reality. The excitement of a new season was immediately tempered by significant injury news, as prized first-round draft pick Walter Nolen III was sidelined with a calf injury that could threaten his availability for the start of the regular season. While one rookie's debut is on hold, another is already turning heads, setting the stage for a camp defined by resilience and opportunity.
When you can eliminate a lot of those [distractions], now you can concentrate on football and getting better, and you're not really worried about distractions.
The biggest blow on day one was the confirmation of defensive tackle Walter Nolen III's calf injury. The first-round pick is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and while Coach Gannon didn't give a firm timeline, his return is projected for around Week 4. This is a major setback for a defensive line that was the focus of a massive offseason overhaul. Nolen joins two other projected defensive starters on the PUP list: linebacker BJ Ojulari (recovering from a 2024 ACL tear) and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (neck). Both are expected back by Week 2, but their absence, combined with Nolen's, puts immediate pressure on the team's defensive depth.
While the news on the defensive front was grim, the secondary offered a reason for optimism. Rookie cornerback Will Johnson, who just signed his contract Tuesday, wasted no time making an impression. He was heavily involved in drills and is already in the mix for a starting role, a fantastic sign for the young defensive back. Adding to the intrigue, Garrett Williams was seen taking reps at both safety and cornerback, showcasing a valuable versatility that could give defensive coordinator Nick Rallis creative options this season.
With key players sidelined, opportunities abound for others to step up. On the defensive line, the competition between veterans like Josh Sweat and fellow rookie Jordan Burch just became more critical in Nolen's absence. On the other side of the ball, running back DeeJay Dallas showed impressive quickness and is making a strong case for a roster spot as a versatile back and return specialist. Even receiver Michael Wilson is getting in on the action, taking reps at punt returner as the team explores all its options.
Despite the injury setbacks, Head Coach Jonathan Gannon was quick to praise the organizational culture. He credited GM Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael Bidwill for creating an environment free of the contract holdouts and off-field drama plaguing other teams around the league. Gannon stressed that this stability allows the team to focus purely on football. This 'no distractions' mantra will be tested early, but it's a foundational element the coaching staff believes will help them overcome the current adversity.
The first day of camp has set a clear narrative: navigating early adversity. While Nolen's injury is a gut punch to the defensive line's rebuild, the emergence of young talent like Will Johnson and the team's unified, distraction-free focus provide a strong counter-balance. The next few weeks will be critical in determining if the depth Monti Ossenfort has built is enough to weather this early storm. All eyes will now be on who steps up, starting with the first open practice for the fans.
