The Arizona Cardinals will be without one of their best young players on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday morning that rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen III has a knee injury that will keep him out.
For a 3-8 Arizona team, this is another bit of bad news in a rough season. Nolen had only played in four games for the Cardinals after being sidelined to start the year.
Walter Nolen III Will Not Play Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nolen injured his knee after just six snaps in Arizona’s 27-24 Week 12 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He certainly made the most of this limited time on the field, though. Nolen did not record a single tackle, but he was in the right spot when Cardinals’ safety Jalen Thompson forced Trevor Lawrence to fumble in the first quarter of that game.
The fumbled ball popped right into the arms of Walter Nolen III, and he then rumbled into the end zone. The rookie defensive tackle dove over the goal line to even the score.
It was another highlight play for Nolen before he injured his knee. He recorded eight tackles in his four games played, starting with a sack and a pass defensed against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9.
In any event, it is another blow for the Cardinals and their fans. Walter Nolen III may not have been a true game wrecker in his four games, but Arizona probably wanted to see more of his potential.
Walter Nolen III Among Many Cardinals Injuries
Nolen is not the only Arizona Cardinals player dealing with injuries.
Star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. missed the last two games, and an appendix issue has him listed as questionable to play vs. Tampa Bay.
Harrison Jr. is not the only offensive player listed as questionable for Arizona. Cardinals guard Will Hernandez is questionable to play with a hip injury.
While Harrison Jr. and Hernandez may play, running back Trey Benson will join Walter Nolen III on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Of course, the biggest Cardinals injury is at the quarterback position. A foot strain has kept Arizona starting quarterback Kyler Murray out since Week 5. It is unclear exactly how healthy Murray is right now, but there is reason to think he has been effectively benched for Jacoby Brissett.
Trade rumors grew louder just before the NFL trade deadline, at it seems likely that Murray will be dealt this offseason. Even former Cardinals All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu thinks Murray should go to the Miami Dolphins.
All of the noise underscores a lost season in Arizona. The Cardinals were a trendy offseason pick to make the playoffs, but a postseason berth is almost impossible at this point.
But Arizona hasn’t been a complete pushover, either. Six of the Cardinals’ eight losses have been by single digits. They have taken the 49ers, Seahawks, Colts, Packers, and Jaguars down to the wire.
Now, they face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that could be starting backup QB Teddy Bridgewater.
Wins aren’t easy in the NFL, but playing the Buccaneers without Baker Mayfield could help Arizona end its losing streak.
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