Cardinals news (July 2025): Trey McBride lands on NFL Top 100 list while rookie Walter Nolen III suffers a calf injury. Get the latest on both players.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Wednesday at Cardinals camp felt like a perfect snapshot of the NFL preseason: a dose of exhilarating validation mixed with a shot of nerve-wracking reality. While the Red Sea celebrated tight end Trey McBride's well-deserved spot among the league's elite, the coaching staff was left to preach patience as prized first-round pick Walter Nolen III was sidelined with a calf injury, reminding everyone how quickly fortunes can change.
He's a violent, disruptive, high motor, tenacious, three-down player.
The buzz around rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen III has been palpable since Arizona snagged him with the 16th overall pick. But that buzz hit a speed bump Wednesday as Head Coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Nolen will miss time with a calf injury. While the team is optimistic he'll be ready for the September 7th opener against the Saints, they're taking a 'cautious approach.' It's a frustrating setback for a player GM Monti Ossenfort has hyped as a game-changer, but the priority is getting the rookie anchor healthy for the long haul, not rushing him back for camp reps.
On the flip side, it was all good news for Trey McBride. Fresh off signing a massive four-year, $76 million extension, the star tight end was officially recognized as one of the best in the game, landing at No. 65 on the NFL's Top 100 Players list. After a historic 2024 season where he hauled in 111 catches for 1,146 yards, the honor was inevitable. Even division rivals are taking notice, with Seahawks safety Julian Love admitting, 'He deserves to be up there for his production alone.' McBride has become the undisputed focal point of the Cardinals' passing attack.
Nolen isn't the only one in the rehab room. Coach Gannon also noted that veteran defensive lineman Bilal Nichols and two other unnamed players are still working their way back and not yet practicing. 'All three of them are doing everything they can to get back on the field,' Gannon said. With Nolen and Nichols both out, the defensive line depth is being tested early in camp, putting more pressure on the healthy bodies to step up and make an impression.
All of these position battles and injury timelines are building toward the first real test: the preseason opener on August 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team also announced a key date for evaluation, with a joint practice scheduled against the Denver Broncos ahead of their second preseason matchup. These shared practices are often more valuable than the games themselves, offering a controlled, high-intensity environment for coaches to see how their roster stacks up against outside competition.
So, the Cardinals head into the thick of training camp with a clear narrative. The offense looks ready to fly high, led by its elite weapon, Trey McBride. The big question mark now hovers over the defense. Can the unit get healthy in time? The return of Walter Nolen III will be the story to watch, as his 'disruptive' presence is exactly what this team needs to make noise when the games start to count.
