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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson: Missing third straight game
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Taylor-Demerson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Taylor-Demerson has not been cleared to practice since injuring his ankle against the Seahawks in Week 10. The second-year safety will miss a third consecutive game as a result of his injury, which leaves Kitan Crawford and Darren Hall as the Cardinals' reserve options at safety behind starters Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker. Taylor-Demerson's next opportunity to play is Week 14 against the Rams on Sunday, Dec. 7.
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Xavier Thomas: Cut by Arizona
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The Cardinals waived Thomas on Friday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Thomas played in four games this season, never for more than 13 percent of the Cardinals' defensive snaps. The cut most likely comes due to the return to practice of Baron Browning and the presence of BJ Ojulari on the roster. If Thomas can clear waivers, there is a good chance he will end up back with the Cardinals on the practice squad.
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Cardinals' Baron Browning: Cleared of concussion
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Browning (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Browning was able to practice in full Friday, meaning he has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is set to suit up for Sunday's game. The linebacker has played 50 percent or more of the team's defensive snaps in eight of his nine appearances, with Sunday set to be his first appearance since Week 10 against the Seahawks.
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Cardinals' Will Johnson: Good to go
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Johnson (back) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Johnson was a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading to a full participant Friday. The upgrade means the cornerback is good to go for Sunday, and he will either join or replace Denzel Burke as a starting outside cornerback, depending on the health of Max Melton (heel).
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Questionable for Sunday
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Melton (heel) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Melton was a limited participant Friday after suffering a setback that rendered him unable to participate in Thursday's session. The cornerback's ability to suit up for Sunday's game will likely hinge on whether he suffers another setback over the weekend. If the 23-year-old cannot suit up, Denzel Burke will once again play outside corner for the Cardinals, this time replacing Melton instead of fellow outside cornerback Will Johnson.
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Cardinals' Baron Browning: Limited Thursday
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Browning (concussion) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Browning has missed the Cardinals' last two games while in the league's concussion protocol. Thursday marks the linebacker's first practice in any capacity since he suffered the concussion, a good sign for his chances to suit up for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
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Cardinals' Max Melton: Downgrades to DNP
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Melton (heel) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Melton was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but he apparently suffered a setback with the heel injury he likely sustained during the Cardinals' Week 12 overtime loss to the Jaguars. The downgrade in practice participation is a bad sign for the starting cornerback's chances to suit up for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
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Cardinals' Josh Sweat: Upgrades to full practice Thursday
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Sweat (eye) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Sweat missed Wednesday's practice with an eye injury, one he sustained and played through in last Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. The upgrade to full participation means the starting defensive end is likely good to go for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
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Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson: Still working through ankle injury
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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 two games due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 10 against the Seahawks. The second-year safety has two more opportunities to practice in at least a limited capacity to have a realistic chance of returning against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
