The Cardinals got an unwelcome development on Thursday when defensive lineman Walter Nolen III landed on the Week 5 injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Nolen had been a full participant a day earlier with no issues, but he was downgraded to limited because of a calf injury. For an Arizona team sitting at 1-3, losing him would be a significant hit if he can’t go.
Sharar was the other new name added to the Cardinals’ Thursday report.
There was better news on a few other fronts. Baker, Sweat and Seumalo all came back from veteran rest days on Wednesday and practiced in full, which is at least a positive sign heading into the weekend. Adams had already been ruled out by Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, while Wingard and Burch have now missed back-to-back days, leaving their status in question for Sunday.
Nolen’s start to the season has been quiet, but LaFleur offered support when asked about him.
“Yes, he just needs to keep going at it. I love Walt and he wants it really, really, really bad. And that's what I respect," he said.
"I look at people's intentions, and I know his intentions are that he wants to help this team and he wants to be productive. He just needs to keep going."
Detroit had just one change on its side of the injury report, with Williams moving from DNP to limited on Thursday.
The Lions enter the week with one of the league’s top offenses, and LaFleur pointed to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s familiarity as one possible wrinkle in the buildup to Sunday.
"People are going to have their narratives probably about it, including us. Drew definitely has his spin on that offense, but it’s the Detroit Lions offense," LaFleur told Cardinals media this week.
"They’re doing a lot of the stuff that they’ve done in the run game. They’re doing a lot of stuff that (Lions QB) Jared’s (Goff) has been really, really successful at - almost at MVP caliber levels and stuff.
With all the same basically skill that they’ve had there for four years now or so. Then the bookend tackle and all those kinds of things.
A lot of the same, but he’s definitely put his little flavor on it for sure.”
Final practice reports for both teams are due Friday.
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