Bilal Nichols - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Moved to IR Nichols (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Nichols was already ruled out for Sunday's game against Houston after he sustained a knee injury during last week's loss to the Rams. With Arizona already eliminated from playoff contention, this transaction means that the 29-year-old will now miss the remainder of the season on IR. Nichols totaled three tackles over four appearances in 2025.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play vs. Houston Nichols (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Nichols was unable to practice all week due to a knee injury that he sustained during the Cardinals' Week 14 loss to the Rams. Dante Stills and rookie third-rounder Jordan Burch are slated to see more rotational snaps at defensive end alongside Josh Sweat in Nichols' absence. Nichols will aim to progress enough in his recovery to return for Arizona's Week 16 tilt against Atlanta on Sunday, Dec. 21.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Done for day Nichols (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Nichols was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Nichols was sidelined by a neck injury for the start of the season but was held out of Sunday's loss to the Colts for personal reasons. He should be available in Week 7 against the Packers.

OCTOBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Sunday Nichols (personal) has been ruled out for Arizona's matchup versus the Colts on Sunday.

Impact Nichols was a late addition to the injury report and will now miss his fifth game of the season. With Darius Robinson (pectoral) out as well, Dante Stills is in line to get the start at defensive end alongside Josh Sweat for Sunday's game.

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go against Tennessee Nichols (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Titans, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Nichols started the season on the reserve/PUP list due to a neck injury from the 2024 season, but he was reinstated Saturday and has been cleared to make his 2025 debut against Tennessee. He could see a healthy dose of snaps at defensive end in his first game back due to Darius Robinson being inactive with a pectoral injury.

OCTOBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Activated off PUP list The Cardinals activated Nichols (knee) off the reserve/PUP list Saturday.

Impact Nichols has been sidelined since July but is now one step closer to returning. The 2018 fifth-round pick was a limited participant in all three of the team's practice sessions this week and is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Titans. If Nichols ends up playing, he could start at defensive end as Darius Robinson has already been ruled out with a pectoral injury.

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 5 Nichols (neck) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Titans, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site repo...

Impact Nichols' 21-day practice window opened Monday, and the 2018 fifth-rounder was a limited in all three sessions this week. He has a chance to be activated from the reserve/PUP list ahead of Sunday's game, but if he's not cleared to play, his next chance to suit up is Week 6 against the Colts on Sunday, Oct. 12. Nichols' return would boost a Cardinals defensive front that will be without 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson (pectoral) for Week 5.

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starts week with limited practice Nichols (neck) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Nichols remains on the reserve/PUP list but was designated for return Monday, opening his 21-day practice window. His return to the lineup will be a big boost to the interior of Arizona' defensive line.

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Designated to return The Cardinals opened Nichols' (neck) 21-day practice window Monday.

Impact The veteran defensive lineman now has 21 days to be activated off the Cardinals' reserve/PUP list after missing the team's first four games this season due to a neck injury. Nichols appeared in six games for Arizona in 2024, recording 10 total tackles across 169 defensive snaps. He's likely to serve as a rotational defensive end once he returns from injury.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out until October Nichols (neck) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the the Cardinals on Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official website reports.

Impact Nichols has been been sidelined since the beginning of training camp while nursing a neck injury. Nichols will now be forced to miss at least the first four games of the 2025 campaign, and in his absence, Dante Stills is a candidate to see an increase in workload on the defensive line.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unable to practice Nichols (neck) was placed on the active/PUP list Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Nichols had his 2024 season cut short by a stinger, but he was able to practice in OTAs heading into training camp. It's unclear if he's suffered a setback, but regardless, he won't begin camp on the practice field.

JULY 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals rookie 1st-round pick DL Walter Nolen III will 'miss some time' because of a calf injury

Arizona Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen III has a calf injury and is expected to miss some time, according to coach Jonathan Gannon

JULY 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Participating in OTAs Nichols is participating in OTAs and appears healthy again after a neck injury ended his 2024 season after six games, Jess Root of USA Today reports.

Impact The defensive tackle started five of those six games after signing a three-year, $21-million free-agent contract with the Cardinals in March of last year. Nichols has started 89 of the 102 games he's played in across seven seasons with the Bears, Raiders and Cardinals. His role with Arizona this year, though, appears in question after the team drafted a defensive tackle, Walter Nolen, in the first round and signed two others, Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, in free agency.

JUNE 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals lose LB Dennis Gardeck for the rest of the season after torn ACL in win vs. Chargers

The Arizona Cardinals’ defense absorbed another tough setback with the news that linebacker Dennis Gardeck will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, coach Jonathan Gannon c...

OCTOBER 22, 2024 • Associated Press

Out for rest of 2024 The Cardinals placed Nichols (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday, and he is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Nichols suffered a stinger in each of the Cardinals' last two games, and it appears his injury Sunday against the Packers is significant enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. He'll end his first year in Arizona with 10 tackles (six solo) across six regular-season games. L.J. Collier is likely to serve as the Cardinals' second starting defensive tackle alongside Roy Lopez while Naquan Jones and Khyiris Tonga provide rotational depth.

OCTOBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return due to stinger Nichols won't return to Sunday's game against the Packers due to a stinger, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Nichols recorded one solo tackle before leaving the contest in the second quarter. In his absence, L.J. Collier, Naquan Jones and Khyiris Tonga are candidates for increased roles.

OCTOBER 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns vs. Niners Nichols (undisclosed) has returned to Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Nichols briefly left Sunday's game due to a stinger, but the 2018 fifth-round pick is back on the field with the first-team defense.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns vs. Niners Nichols (undisclosed) has returned to Sunday's game against the 49ers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Nichols briefly left Sunday's game due to a stinger, but the 2018 fifth-round pick is back on the field with the first-team defense.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Week 5 Nichols (undisclosed) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a stinger injury.

Impact Nichols briefly went to the locker room following the injury, but he was spotted back on the sidelines. It remains to be seen whether he will come back into Sunday's game. L.J. Collier would see more work with the first-team defense while Nichols is sidelined.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Week 5 Nichols (undisclosed) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a stinger injury.

OCTOBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jones Talks Acclimating To The Dry Heat, His Relationship With Bilal Nichols, And More Cardinals defensive lineman Justin Jones talks about his experience during his first OTAs as a member of the Cardinals, his relationship wit...

JUNE 3, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Big Red Rage - New Cardinals Defensive Lineman Bilal Nichols: Stopping Run Is A Mindset Ep. 656 - New Cardinals defensive lineman Bilal Nichols joined Paul Calvisi to talk about his path to Arizona, the mindset it takes to defen...

MARCH 22, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones Surprised To Find Themselves Cardinals Teammates Friendship born in Alabama makes its way to Arizona

MARCH 16, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

New Arizona Cardinals defensive tackles Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols ready to create havoc A simple act of kindness seven years ago brought Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols together; now they are D-line teammates with the Arizona Car...

MARCH 15, 2024 • AZCENTRAL.COM

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Cardinals rookie 1st-round pick DL Walter Nolen III will 'miss some time' because of a calf injury

Cardinals lose LB Dennis Gardeck for the rest of the season after torn ACL in win vs. Chargers