Starting CB latest to go down as Cardinals’ defensive injuries pile up

The Arizona Cardinals’ defensive depth has taken another major hit.

Cornerback Starling Thomas V tore his left ACL during Friday’s practice and will miss the entire 2025 season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team placed Thomas on season-ending injured reserve Sunday and signed former UFL cornerback Steven Gilmore Jr. to fill the roster spot.

Thomas, who started 15 games last year, went down during an 11-on-11 drill and had to be carted off the field. It’s the second significant knee injury of his career after he tore his right ACL in college. “Feel awful and bad for those guys,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said, referring to both Thomas and cornerback Jaden Davis, who is also dealing with a knee injury. “These guys put so much in. It’s just a tough break, but they’ll do everything they can to get back.”

The injury adds to a growing list of setbacks for a defense already reeling from a series of setbacks during camp. First-round pick Walter Nolen, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, and edge rusher BJ Ojulari all began camp on the physically unable to perform list. Linebacker J.J. Russell also gave the team a scare after a collision left him carted off the field, though he was cleared later that day.

Thomas’ absence is particularly tough given his reliability last season. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed just 32 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns in coverage, playing over 75 percent of defensive snaps. He was expected to be a stabilizing force for a secondary featuring several young players.

Still, Arizona has invested heavily in its defensive depth. Garrett Williams, a 2023 third-round pick who started 11 games last season, is likely to step into a bigger role. Second-year corner Max Melton, who emerged late in 2024, is also expected to see more snaps. Behind them are promising rookies Will Johnson, a second-round pick already taking first-team reps, and fifth-rounder Denzel Burke.

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“There’s been big-time competition in that room,” Gannon said. “We’ll develop our guys, and someone will step up.”

For a team that ranked near the bottom in defensive efficiency last season, this wave of injuries poses a serious challenge to Arizona’s 2025 plans. However, with new additions like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell bolstering the front seven, the Cardinals still believe their revamped defense can hold its own.