MAX MELTON NEWS

Heavy usage in rookie season Melton played all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 51 tackles (36 solo), five pass defenses and one forced fumble.

Impact Melton was one of seven rookies selected by the Cardinals during the 2024 NFL Draft, and the second-round cornerback out of Rutgers was arguably the most consistent. He finished third among Arizona's corners in combined tackles behind Garrett Williams (58) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (52). In addition to seeing heavy snaps with the Cardinals' first-team defense, Melton showed his value and versatility by serving as a gunner on special teams. Melton and fellow rookie corner Elijah Jones (ankle) will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Cardinals' defense in the offseason during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hurts wrist early in Week 18 Melton (wrist) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against San Francisco.

Impact Melton was hurt midway through the first quarter while assisting on a tackle. He was deemed questionable to return a few minutes later. Starling Thomas could see an increased amount of defensive snaps if Melton is unable to return.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Max Melton Locker Room Scrum-Week 17 vs Rams Max Melton speaks with the media in the locker room following the Cardinals loss to Rams in Week 17.

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Sideline Exchange: Max Melton Join Cardinals insider Dani Sureck as she chats with rookie cornerback Max Melton about his passion for cars, his relationship with his brot...

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Past shin issue Melton (shin) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Melton appeared to be in jeopardy of missing the Cardinals' Week 16 contest after opening the week of practice with consecutive limited sessions due to a shin injury. The rookie corner from Rutgers then practiced in full Friday, indicating that he's already recovered from the injury. With Melton back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of the Cardinals' top rotational outside cornerbacks Sunday.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Melton (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 2024 second-round pick logged two total tackles over 16 defensive snaps in Arizona's Week 15 win over New England before exiting the game with a shin injury. Melton's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can play through the issue in Week 16, when the Cardinals face the Panthers.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Melton (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 2024 second-round pick logged two total tackles over 16 defensive snaps in Arizona's Week 15 win over New England before exiting the game with a shin injury. Melton's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can play through the issue in Week 16, when the Cardinals face the Panthers.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Sunday Melton (shin) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Patriots, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Melton is dealing with a shin injury and his status for the rest of the game is now up in the air. In the meantime, Kei-Trel Clark stands to operate in a more significant role in Arizona's secondary while Melton is unavailable.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Big Red Rage - Cardinals Cornerback Max Melton Growing In Rookie Year Ep. 694 - Cornerback Max Melton joined Paul Calvisi and Ron Wolfley at Trophy in Chandler to discuss his rookie season, navigating the NFL D...

DECEMBER 13, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Jeff Rodgers Speaks About Max Melton Playing On Special Teams, Health Of Matt Prater, And More Jeff Rodgers speaks with the media on Tuesday, November 26th.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Jonathan Gannon Speaks With The Media About Team's Response to Pick Six, Max Melton's Limited Snaps, And More Jonathan Gannon speaks with the media on Monday, November 25th.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Active for Week 12 Melton (illness) is active for Sunday's game against Seattle, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Melton was in danger of missing Sunday's game due to an illness, but he appears to have recovered enough to be available for Sunday's game. He'll provide depth in the secondary behind starting corners Starling Thomas and Sean Murphy-Bunting.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Now questionable for Week 12 Melton (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Melton has been under the weather all week, and while he was initially listed with no injury designation Friday, it appears he hasn't been able to shake off his illness. Whether Melton will play Sunday won't be officially known until the Cardinals release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Sunday Melton (illness) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Impact Melton was added to the Cardinals' injury report Thursday after recording a DNP due to an illness. However, the rookie corner from Rutgers practiced in full Friday, suggesting that he's moved past his illness in time for Sunday's divisional matchup. With Melton back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of Arizona's top backup corners in Week 12.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Melton (illness) did not participate at the Cardinals' practice Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Melton popped up on the practice report with an undisclosed illness Thursday, forcing him to sit out. The cornerback will look to return to practice Friday, but if he is ultimately unavailable for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, Kei'Trel Clark would stand to see an increase in workload at cornerback.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared ahead of Week 8 Melton (neck) was a full participant in Friday's practice and carries no injury designation into Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Melton logged consecutive limited practices due to a neck injury he picked up during Monday's win over the Chargers. However, he was able to practice without restrictions Friday, and the rookie second-round pick will be good to go for Sunday's contest. Melton has logged 24 tackles (22 solo), one pass breakup and one forced fumble over the first seven games of the regular season.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Melton (neck) was considered to be a limited participant at the Cardinals' walkthrough Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Melton produced nine total tackles (eight solo), a forced fumble and a pass defensed in Arizona's 17-15 win over the Chargers on Monday, picking up an apparent neck injury in the process. The cornerback will have two more chances to log a full session before the team's Week 8 contest in Miami on Sunday.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes in win Melton recorded nine tackles (eight solo), a pass defensed and a forced fumble in Monday's 17-15 win over the Chargers.

Impact The backup cornerback entered for the injured Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) in the first half. Melton ended up playing on 80 percent of the defensive snaps. The 2024 second-round pick will be in line to play more if Murphy-Bunting is forced to miss additional time.

OCTOBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Film Room: Max Melton Missile Against The Packers Watch special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers break down Max Melton's impressive tackle as a gunner against the Packers.

OCTOBER 16, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Road Essentials: Max Melton Cornerback Max Melton talks about what are his five must-haves for every road trip.

OCTOBER 12, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Led by Max Melton, rookies providing boost to weak Arizona Cardinals defense In recent weeks, the Cardinals have given larger roles to their rookies, boosting a weak defense.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Bo and Max Melton turned NFL dreams into reality Brothers bring sibling rivalry into Sunday’s Packers-Cardinals matchup

OCTOBER 10, 2024 • PACKERS.COM

Max Melton Speaks With The Media Max Melton speaks with the media in the locker room after practice as the team continues preparations for matchup with the Packers.

OCTOBER 10, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Max Melton Locker Room Scrum-Regular Season Week 4 vs Commanders Max Melton speaks with the media in the locker room following the Cardinals loss to the Commanders.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Good to go vs. Rams Melton (concussion) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact Melton entered concussion protocols following Arizona's Week 1 loss to Buffalo. He started as a DNP on Wednesday, but he finished the week as a full participant in Friday's session, and he is good to go for Sunday's NFC West showdown. Melton played 27 snaps (10 on defense, 17 on special teams) and registered two solo tackles against the Bills in Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE