Defensive lineman Walter Nolen III and cornerback Garrett Williams of the Arizona Cardinals will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining serious injuries in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed on Monday that both players will be placed on Injured Reserve.
Gannon stated that further details could not be provided at this time as additional tests are pending. He did clarify that Williams suffered an Achilles tear, while Nolen injured his knee.
Nolen, a rookie, had made an impact during his limited appearances this season. In six games, he recorded five tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, two sacks, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. His performance included generating pressure on Kirk Cousins’ interception during Sunday’s game. Despite missing the first seven games due to calf and knee issues earlier in the year, Nolen was seen as a promising addition to the defense.
“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.”
Nolen addressed his injury in an Instagram post: “Everything happens for a reason (where you) go from never missing games to not even being able to play a half a season. 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.”
Williams’ injury capped off what had already been a challenging season for him. Earlier in the year, he missed five games due to another knee injury sustained during the home opener.
“They know it’s part of the game,” Gannon said regarding injuries. “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.”
The Cardinals have faced significant challenges with player health throughout this season, leading the league by having 80 different players suit up—a figure unmatched by any other team—and placing more players on Injured Reserve than any other club.
After Sunday’s game, defensive lineman Calais Campbell commented on how frequent injuries have brought many new faces into their locker room, making it difficult to build chemistry among teammates.
Gannon noted that developing all 90 players during training camp is crucial because injuries can force unexpected changes to regular-season rosters.
Looking ahead, Gannon expressed hope for better outcomes next week: “For me, at least, are you trying to do everything that you can? How can I impact winning? 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.”
