The progress of Robert Nkemdiche is still being measured in small increments.
The Cardinals defensive lineman is finally healthy, getting past a calf strain that has nagged him since the preseason. He earned praise from Pro Football Focus in the Week 7 loss to the Rams, registering an 84.3 run defense grade for his work in the trenches.
The Cardinals’ 2016 first-round pick still doesn’t have a sack in the NFL -- and he’s a long way from shaking the disappointing start to his career -- but he is trending in the right direction.
“I’m getting better at my technique,” Nkemdiche said.