Cardinals open mandatory minicamp with several players on the sideline during early practice work

The Arizona Cardinals opened veteran mandatory minicamp with practices scheduled in Tempe on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first days offered a familiar offseason snapshot: some players were available on the field, while others were absent or limited as they continue rehab from the previous season. Mandatory minicamp, unlike the team’s earlier voluntary offseason program, carries potential fines for players who do not attend, so the attendance itself is usually informative even when participation is not fully uniform.

According to reporting from within the Cardinals beat, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and edge rusher Josh Sweat were present and described as healthy enough to be involved, at least in the sense of being available at the start of minicamp. Other names were seen on the side with trainers or worked around full-squad participation, reflecting a timeline of recovery that often determines how much “live” work players can handle before the summer’s heavier workload.

One of the clearer storylines involves players who missed time last season and are now rebuilding their practice reps. Defensive and offensive personnel with prior injuries were not expected to be fully embedded immediately. For example, the Cardinals’ discussion around the rookie class also includes receiver/rookie Sharar, who was reportedly at minicamp but limited, working with trainers rather than taking part in full sessions. That fits the pattern teams use during mandatory work when a player is close but not cleared for everything yet.

There was also reporting focused on rookies and other developing contributors whose availability can change what coaches can install in a compressed offseason window. Trey Benson, the running back, was mentioned among the players who did not practice earlier in the offseason and is coming off a knee injury, while offensive line availability can hinge on a player’s ability to take on full participation. Proctor, another younger Cardinals piece, was also referenced as a player who had been absent during OTAs and could be dealing with an injury or related limitation, though specifics were not provided in the available reporting.

The minicamp week also keeps an eye on veteran recoveries from major injuries. Garrett Williams, a cornerback identified in Cardinals reporting as the team’s trusted nickel option, was described as recovering from a non-contact torn Achilles tendon suffered during the season, with the expectation that Achilles recovery typically requires a gradual return to avoid setbacks. Separately, Walter Nolen III, another player with a prior severe calf injury and later knee surgery described in offseason injury reporting, was also listed among those working their way back and not fully on the practice field during the early stages of mandatory minicamp.

Alongside those injury-centered updates, there is a contract and availability component to the offseason rhythm. Brissett’s reported return to mandatory minicamp after a prior contract holdout adds another layer to the roster picture, because quarterbacks who miss reps early can be behind on timing and sequencing, even if their physical status is intact. The practical takeaway is that the Cardinals’ two practices do not just function as conditioning sessions, they also serve as an early gauge of who can join group work and who needs continued individualized planning.

What to watch next is how the practice split evolves from Tuesday into Wednesday and then into the lead-up to training camp in July. If limited players begin taking more team-period reps, it suggests they are clearing rehab milestones on schedule. If players remain on the sideline or in non-participation roles, the Cardinals may need to keep certain units on a careful workload plan, which can affect early installation of formations, pass protection sets, and coverage assignments.