Jalen Thompson’s first official day in the NFL was unusual, to say the least.
He didn’t get to participate in rookie camp, mini-camps or any offseason team workouts whatsoever. Instead, he reported straight to State Farm Stadium for the start of training camp, where he met with reporters for a brief visit in the press box, and then headed downstairs to change into his new uniform for his first practice of any kind.
“The first time we even met Jalen Thompson was in this building last year,” Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph recalled.
“Yeah, it was a little weird,” Thompson would say later.