Cardinals Rookie Walter Nolen Disappointed With His Madden 26 Face Scan First-round pick reacts to his in-game look while recovering from injury

Arizona Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen, once compared to Jalen Carter during draft evaluations, has quickly made headlines—but not for his on-field play. After firing up Madden 26, the defensive tackle wasn’t impressed with his digital likeness. “That’s not me,” Nolen said, expressing disappointment at how the game’s advanced face-scan technology rendered him.

Despite Madden 26 boasting some of the most realistic player models to date, Nolen joins a long list of NFL stars who feel the game missed the mark.

🏈 Injury Sidelines Cardinals’ First-Round Pick

Unfortunately for Arizona, the bigger story is that Nolen won’t be suiting up right away. Drafted 16th overall in 2025, the 6’4”, 300-pound defensive lineman begins the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a calf injury.

The designation means he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season. While eligible to return in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, his rehab has been slow, and there’s no clear timeline for his debut.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Nolen’s focus remains on recovery after sustaining the injury while preparing for training camp in July.

💪 Cardinals’ Defensive Outlook Without Nolen

The Cardinals are coming off an 8-9 finish in 2024, ranking 21st in overall defense. To strengthen their front line, Arizona reunited with veteran Calais Campbell on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.

Still, losing Nolen is a significant setback. The Cardinals had drafted him with hopes of immediate contributions, especially after their previous first-rounder, Darius Robinson, also dealt with a calf injury in his rookie year. Robinson recorded just 10 tackles and one sack in six games.

With back-to-back rookie linemen slowed by injuries, Arizona’s defense faces another uphill battle early in the season.

📝 Final Thoughts

Walter Nolen may not like his Madden 26 face scan, but Cardinals fans are more concerned about when he’ll actually step on the field. If healthy by Week 5, the rookie has a chance to live up to the high expectations that came with being a first-round pick.