Cardinals' Walter Nolen: Back at practice Wednesday
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Nolen (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nolen's ability to practice Wednesday is a step in the right direction for the rookie first-rounder, who has missed the Cardinals' last two games due to a knee injury. He would avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Texans with a full practice Thursday or Friday.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Melton (heel) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton missed the Cardinals' last two games due to a heel injury, but he has progressed enough in his recovery to return to practice Wednesday, albeit in a limited capacity. He has two more opportunities to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans.
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Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson: Opens week with DNP
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Taylor-Demerson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Taylor-Demerson has missed the Cardinals' last four games due to an ankle injury. He also hasn't been able to practice since sustaining the injury, so unless he returns to practice over the next two days, he's unlikely to be available for Sunday's game against the Texans.
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Cardinals' Cody Simon: Just three tackles vs. LAR
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Simon posted three tackles (one solo) during the Cardinals' 45-17 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
Simon played every single defensive snap for a fifth consecutive game, though his three tackles were his lowest since Week 9 against the Cowboys (three). The rookie fourth-rounder has started at middle linebacker in each of the Cardinals' last five games, coinciding with the placement of Mack Wilson (ribs) on injured reserve. Simon should continue to serve in an every-down role at linebacker for as long as Wilson remains on IR.
Thompson posted seven tackles (three solo) Sunday in a Week 14 loss to the Rams.
Thompson tied for the second-most stops on the Cardinals in the loss. The veteran safety has been a steady IDP option this season, posting at least five tackles in 10 of his 13 contests. Thompson is up to 81 stops, including 1.0 sacks, and six defensed passes on the campaign.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Tallies six stops in Week 14 defeat
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Baker logged six tackles (three solo) Sunday in a loss to the Rams.
Baker had a relatively quiet game, finishing tied for fourth on Arizona in stops. That was his lowest mark since he logged five tackles against Seattle in Week 10. Still, Baker has been an elite IDP option this season, registering 93 tackles (including 0.5 sacks) and four defensed passes (including one interception) through 13 games.
Pappoe posted 10 tackles (six solo) and a defensed pass in Sunday's loss to the Rams.
Pappoe led Arizona in stops despite playing only half of the team's defensive snaps. That was a significant increase in opportunity, as Pappoe had played exclusively on special teams over his 12 games prior to Sunday. Akeem Davis-Gaither notched just one defensive snap against Los Angeles, which may indicate that Arizona wants to give Pappoe an extended look moving forward, especially given his strong performance Sunday.
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Cardinals' Bilal Nichols: Done for day
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Nichols (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nichols suffered a knee injury late in the first half, and he'll now be sidelined for the rest of the contest. In his absence, Jordan Burch and Dante Stills are the top candidates to see an increase in workload on the defensive line versus Los Angeles.
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Cardinals' L.J. Collier: Not ready to return
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Collier (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Collier has been sidelined since Week 3 and returned to practice Wednesday. He logged a pair of limited practices before sitting Friday, so it's unclear how close he is to a return.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Out for Week 14
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Melton (heel) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Melton didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss his second consecutive game due to a heel injury. The second-year pro has operated as one of the Cardinals' top boundary corners this season, recording 31 total tackles and five passes defensed across nine appearances. While he's sidelined in Week 14, expect Denzel Burke to have an expanded role in Arizona's secondary.
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Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson: Won't play Sunday
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Taylor-Demerson (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
The second-year pro from Texas Tech is now in line to miss his fourth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. Taylor-Demerson has appeared in nine games this season, recording 36 total tackles and five passes defensed, including two interceptions. While he's sidelined Sunday, Kitan Crawford will likely operate as the team's top reserve safety.
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Cardinals' Walter Nolen: Out for Sunday
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Nolen (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
The 2025 first-round pick from Ole Miss didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday and is now in line to miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. Nolen has played in just four games this season, recording eight total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, across 101 defensive snaps. Expect Dalvin Tomlinson to play an expanded role on the Cardinals' defensive line until Nolen returns.
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Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson: No practice Wednesday
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Taylor-Demerson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Taylor-Demerson has missed each of Arizona's last three games with the ankle injury, and he has yet to return to practice. He'll likely need to log some level of participation Thursday to have any chance of suiting up in Week 14 against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Walter Nolen: Still no practice
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Nolen (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Nolen originally suffered the injury in Week 12 and missed Arizona's Week 13 loss to Tampa Bay. He has been unable to practice in any capacity since suffering the injury, casting doubt on a potential Week 14 return.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Still dealing with heel injury
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Melton (heel) did not practice Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Melton was held out of Arizona's Week 13 loss to the Jaguars with the same issue. He managed two limited practices last week, so it's unclear if he's suffered a setback.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Compiles nine tackles Sunday
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Baker recorded nine tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay.
With another nice day in the box score in Week 13, Baker has now tallied at least seven tackles in five of his last six games. He's easily on pace for the sixth 100-plus tackle season of his career and projects as a good IDP play in most formats in a Week 14 matchup versus the Rams.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: Hits double digits in sacks
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Sweat recorded four tackles (three solo) including 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble during Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay.
Sweat's second sack of the afternoon Sunday came at the end of the first quarter, when he slapped down the hands of veteran guard Dan Feeney on his way to Baker Mayfield on third down, forcing a Tampa Bay punt. He's now tied for fourth in the league in sacks (11.0) going into a Week 14 tilt versus the Rams.
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Cardinals' Akeem Davis-Gaither: Cards' leading tackler in loss
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Davis-Gaither recorded 10 tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay.
Despite being on the field for a mere 32 defensive snaps, Davis-Gaither posted double digits in the tackle category for the second time this year in Week 13. He's on pace for the first 100-plus tackle season of his career as Arizona heads into a Week 14 matchup versus the Rams, and he profiles as a viable IDP option for that contest in some formats.
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Xavier Thomas: Joins Houston's practice squad
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The Texans signed Thomas to their practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Thomas was waived by the Cardinals on Friday, and he has already found another opportunity with a new team. Over four games with Arizona in 2025, Thomas has logged 15 snaps on defense and 42 on special teams.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Inactive Sunday
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Melton (heel) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
The cornerback was limited in practice Wednesday, missed Thursday's session and was limited again Friday. In his absence, Denzel Burke should get the start.
