Cardinals NT Dan Williams suffered a right ankle injury in Saturday's preseason game. It not clear how long Williams will be sidelined, but he's managed to avoid a high-ankle sprain. David Carter and Frostee Rucker should see playing time with the first-team defense in his absence.

Cardinals NT Dan Williams suffered a sprained knee and ankle, but an MRI revealed no damage that requires surgery. Williams will miss practice time, but is expected to return in plenty of time to prepare for Week 1. David Carter has been Williams' backup through camp, and Bruce Arians said DE/OLB Matt Shaughnessy also will practice at tackle.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians praised DT Dan Williams for his conditioning during the team's minicamp last week. Williams has dealt with weight issues since entering the league in 2010, but is reportedly at an impressive 314 pounds. With the Cardinals moving to a 4-3 defense, he could be asked to stay on the field more in passing situations. "Lost a ton of weight, looks fantastic," Arians said. "If he wants to rush the passer, he's got to stay down at that weight."

Cardinals NT Dan Williams checked into training camp at 314 pounds. It's notable because Williams has struggled with weight and conditioning ever since the Cards took him 26th overall in 2010. With his broken arm healed and weight down, he has a stranglehold on the starting nose tackle gig. The Cardinals ranked 21st against the run last season.

Cardinals NT Dan Williams (arm) is expected to be at 100 percent for training camp. Williams was outplayed by David Carter for much of last season before breaking his arm in Week 11. The Cardinals appear confident that the 2010 first-round pick will show up in shape and ready to work. They're set at the end spots in the 3-4 with Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett.

Cardinals NT Dan Williams "(appears) to be in much better shape" than he was last offseason. Per a team source, Williams is in a "much better state, both physically and mentally." Williams has long struggled with his conditioning, but vowed to get and stay fit after last season, and has apparently stayed true to his word. He's spent the past six weeks "working regularly" with Arizona's strength-and-conditioning coach. Williams will open 2012 with a starting job.

Cardinals NT Dan Williams has remained at his playing weight of 327 this offseason. A "daily visitor" at the Cardinals' team facility as he rehabs from a broken arm, Williams has apparently finally committed to staying in shape. "I just want my coaches and teammates to trust I'll be at the right weight," he said. Williams will be 100 percent for training camp, and should open 2012 as a starter.

Cardinals NT Dan Williams promises to spend the bulk of the offseason at the team facility to stay in shape after battling weight problems during his first two NFL seasons. "There was a lot of immaturity on my part," Williams admitted. "It was my first time out of college, I had a lot of money, and I didn't have to be up here for anything so I really learned my lesson. But I'll be spending all of my time here in the Valley and working with Coach (John) Lott." Williams' second season ended on injured reserve with two fractured bones in his left arm.

Cardinals placed NT Dan Williams (fractured arm) on injured reserve, ending his season. Arizona has been high on sixth-round rookie David Carter, but he's built more like a defensive end at 6'5/297 whereas Williams was a prototypical stout run plugger. Upgrade opposing running backs against the Cardinals down the stretch. Williams should return as the starter in 2012.

The Arizona Republic reports that Cardinals NT Dan Williams is done for the year with a fractured left arm. Apparently, it's not something he'll be able to play through with a club or brace. Williams, the 26th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, was finally showing signs of realizing his potential this year. Pro Football Focus has graded Williams positively against the run after a disappointing rookie season, and Arizona doesn't have another 330-pound defensive lineman to fill the void. This is an injury that could impact fantasy matchups down the stretch.