GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche practiced for the first time in training camp Monday but said he will take the rest of his comeback from a high ankle sprain "day by day."
His camp debut was limited to individual drills, but that could change this week leading up to Arizona's trip to Houston for Sunday's preseason game on national TV.
"I could [play Sunday]," said Nkemdiche, who injured his right ankle during a pre-training camp quarterback school July 26. "I'm just going to listen to the staff and take it day by day and see how I feel and go with how I feel."
After Monday's practice, the 29th overall pick said he "felt good" and that he trusted his ankle. He said the soreness in the ankle has worn off considerably.
"Hopefully, throughout the days it calms down and gets better daily," he said.
Nkemdiche added that his action Monday was "exactly" the amount of work he wanted "just to get used to it and put pressure on it and get some pressure on it and keep going." He added that he's "extremely close" to being 100 percent healthy, and that the main effects of not playing on it for a few weeks was not having the mobilization he's accustomed to.
While he continues to work to strengthen his ankle, Nkemdiche said his mental game now is his strongest aspect. But after missing more than four weeks of camp, Nkemdiche didn't feel like he was playing catch-up Monday.
"I didn't feel like I was behind at all," Nkemdiche said. "Really, just the ankle itself and just really getting it back used to those sharp movements and those explosive movements. I'm just taking it day by day and listening to [Cardinals trainer] Tom [Reed] and going with the flow."
Coach Bruce Arians said he was looking forward to seeing Nkemdiche's power and how fast the rookie could "adjust and learn."
The past few weeks were hard on Nkemdiche, the rookie said, as he watched his teammates get reps daily. But he learned to be calm and patient through his injury, a motto that was repeated by his veteran teammates, who told him to take his comeback slow so he doesn't aggravate the injury and cause a longer delay in his return.
Nkemdiche feels he has plenty of time to get in the flow of the defense with Arizona's season opener just four weeks away, but he's anxious to get on the field. His role this season will be limited, Arians said. Nkemdiche is expected to play 20 to 25 snaps per game, Arians added.
"I can't wait," Nkemdiche said. "I've been itching for a couple weeks now and they've been telling me to chill: 'These injuries are no joke, so just really be patient with it and the right time will come.'
"So, I can't wait. I've been itching to get out there. Still itching to hit."