The Arizona Cardinals had seven players listed as limited participants in Thursday’s practice, including quarterback Kyler Murray. However, with the Cardinals coming off their bye week, the injury report from Thursday’s practice was largely positive.
Offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum was the only player who did not participate in practice, and that was not injury-related (NIR). It was a rest day for the veteran lineman.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said in his Thursday press conference that the bye was good not only for Murray, who is healing from injury, but for the entire team.
So, who were the limited participants at Thursday’s session?
Looking at the Cardinals’ Injury Report
S Kitan Crawford
Crawford missed the Cardinals’ Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury. It was the first game this season he’d missed, and he seems on track to play Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
RB Emari Demercado
Demercado suffered an ankle injury in the Cardinals’ Week 6 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts and missed Week 7 against the Packers.
However, with an extra week from the bye, a limited practice on Thursday is good news for Demercado’s potential availability Monday night against the Cowboys.
WR Zay Jones
Jones was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a knee injury. The Cardinals receiver missed Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion but has played in every other game this season.
Coming off a bye week, it would make sense for the Cardinals not to push Jones too hard this week before their Week 9 matchup with the Cowboys. Jones figures to be Arizona’s No. 2 or No. 3 receiver alongside Michael Wilson.
QB Kyler Murray
Murray has missed the last two games with a mid-foot sprain but is trending in the right direction to be ready to start Monday night against the Cowboys.
Gannon said the Cardinals are preparing for Murray to start Week 9, but Murray and Jacoby Brissett split first-team reps at practice on Thursday.
The Cardinals also moved their quarterback availability to later in the week, as Murray was scheduled to speak today.
DL Walter Nolen III
Nolen returned to practice for the first time this season on Thursday. The rookie second-round pick injured his calf in rookie training camp, and his 21-day practice window was opened this week.
“I’m ready when they are.”
Arizona Cardinals first round pick Walter Nolen III is ready for the green light to play after being sidelined by a calf injury @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/utxEtgRmtP
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) October 30, 2025
It’s unclear as of now if Nolen will be ready for Monday night against the Cowboys. However, Nolen said he’s ready — it’s just up to the coaches.
LB BJ Ojulari
It’s a very similar scenario for Ojulari. The Cardinals’ outside linebacker tore his ACL and two other ligaments during training camp before the 2024 season and returned to the practice field for the first time since then this week.
It would be impressive if Ojulari is ready to go by Monday night, but we’ll know more information over the weekend.
CB Garrett Williams
Williams suffered a knee injury in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers and was placed on injured reserve. The Cardinals have designated Williams for return, opening his 21-day practice window.
He began practicing this week and could return for Monday Night Football against the Cowboys.
There are a lot of moving pieces ahead of the Cardinals’ Week 9 matchup with the Cowboys on Monday, and there’s a good chance Arizona gets a few players back from injury.
With the Cardinals sitting at 2-5, they have a 0.4% chance to win the NFC West and a 4.4% chance to make the playoffs, according to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter.
Monday night’s contest with the Cowboys should be considered a must-win if the Cardinals want any shot at a playoff run in 2025.
