Cardinals’ health bucket could really start filling up after the bye week

The Arizona Cardinals (2-5) have not been immune to the injury bug in 2025.

Heading into the bye week, the Cardinals have 17 players either on the non-football injury (one), reserve/physically unable to perform (two) or injured reserve (14) lists.

And that’s not including the handful of players who have missed at least one game this year due to injury.

Injuries are going to happen in the NFL. They can’t be used as an overarching excuse for the shortcomings of Arizona’s season up to this point even if key contributors have gone down for multiple weeks at a time.

Help, however, could be on the way for a Monday Night Football game on Nov. 3 against the Dallas Cowboys, or shortly after, beyond the potential return of quarterback Kyler Murray.

Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen III’s NFL debut looming?

It’s been a long time on the shelf for rookie defensive lineman Walter Nolen III.

Despite reports that he could make his return to play from an offseason calf issue around the start of the regular season, Arizona is seven games in without Nolen playing a single down.

His return to play got a serious boost last week with Arizona opening up the rookie’s 21-day practice window. Nolen practiced in a limited fashion across his first three days back but moved around well during the open portion of work.

Another strong effort this bye week could really catapult his chances at being activated for primetime.

“He’s got a big time plan this week,” coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday. “Everyone’s a little bit different with this. … It’s not just a week off here. He has to keep progressing as he would if we had a normal week, I would say.”

If Nolen can return to play in Dallas, it would mark the second first-round pick to find their way back in the lineup in as many games after Darius Robinson got back in the saddle in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The more depth the better for an Arizona defense that has struggled to close out games this season despite its strong starts.

Calais Campbell on Walter Nolen III ⬇️

“I know Walter is a very talented guy and he’s making his progress. When the time comes, I think the whole world is going to be excited for what he can do, including me.” pic.twitter.com/NXjSkmL3VW

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 29, 2025

Two Cardinals starters closing in on return?

The Cardinals lost one of their biggest defensive pieces just two weeks into the season in Garrett Williams.

The do-it-all cornerback is Arizona’s answer at nickel and was adding even more onto his plate along the outside before a knee injury forced him on the injured reserve list.

He’s already sat out the required four games, and Gannon made it clear he expected Williams back this season.

It appears Williams could be at the next step in his rehab, too.

For the first time since he went down, Williams was seen getting some work in on the sideline during the open portion of practice earlier this month.

It’s a small detail but one that suggests he’s at least making forward progress.

As for running back Trey Benson, who went down with a knee injury in Arizona’s Thursday Night Football loss to the Seattle Seahawks, his missed games requirement is nearly up.

After the Cardinals’ MNF tilt against the Cowboys, Benson is eligible to come off the IR.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this month Benson could miss between four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his meniscus.

That puts the Cardinals’ divisional rematch against the Seahawks as a possibility if that timeline holds up.

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